Virat Kohli’s sparkling knock of 153 on day three at Centurion is our Play of the Day.

Kohli led the fightback for India late on day two, scoring 85 not out. The visitors needed another big contribution from their skipper on day three, though. He didn’t disappoint, finishing on 153 off 217 balls.

Kohli played with plenty of intensity in the first session. He went to 100 – his 21st in Test cricket – off 146 balls.

You could see what the milestone meant to him as he waved his bat and leapt into the air. Thanks to Kohli, India were still in the contest.

DAY THREE REPORT: Proteas in control despite Kohli heroics

Kohli received good support from Ravi Ashwin and Ishant Sharma. India added 71 runs for the seventh wicket, and 25 for the ninth.

Kohli was the destroyer in chief, dominating the Proteas bowlers throughout. After reaching 100, he scored his next 50-odd runs in 71 balls.

A sublime individual knock, and India’s first innings came to an end when he attempted to hit Morne Morkel for 6 after lunch. At that stage, Kohli was farming the strike, and looking to score his runs in twos or boundaries.

Kohli failed to hit the ball sweetly though, and AB de Villiers took a comfortable catch at long-on.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix