Centurion Test: Kohli's ton takes India to 287-8 at lunch

Centurion [South Africa], Jan. 15 (ANI): Indian skipper Virat Kohli registered his 21st Test hundred to guide his side to 287-8 in the first innings at the stroke of lunch on Day Three of the second match against South Africa here at the SuperSport Park on Monday.

Resuming at yesterday's score of 183-5, Kohli struck a blistering unbeaten 141-run knock, including 14 boundaries, besides sharing a crucial partnership of 71 runs for sixth wicket to put India in a relatively stable position.

At lunch, India had reduced their first-innings gap to 48 runs, with Kohli and Ishant Sharma (zero) batting at the crease.

Kohli reached the three-figure mark in the 67th over when he worked first ball of Lungi Ngidi's 12th over towards mid-on.

This is Kohli's second hundred in South Africa. He had earlier scored 119 in Johannesburg in 2013.

With this century, the right-handed batsman became the second Indian captain after Sachin Tendulkar to score a Test hundred in South Africa.

For South Africa, Morne Morkel picked two wickets while Vernon Philander, top-ranked Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi all chipped in with a wicket each.

Earlier, Ashwin bagged four wickets while Ishant Sharma took three wickets to bundle out South Africa for 335 in their first innings.

Aiden Markram (94), Hashim Amla (82) and Faf du Plessis (63) were notable contributors for the hosts. (ANI)