2021 was a memorable year for the Indian cricket team, especially in the longest format of the game. There were quite a few memorable moments that gave the Indian fans plenty to cherish throughout the year and brought them closer to Test cricket.

"2021 has been a special year for us."

Vice-captain @klrahul11 sums up 2021 for #TeamIndia and speaks about the historic win at Centurion#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/B9glXK36Xe

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 30, 2021

It was only fitting that the year which began with a fighting draw at Sydney and the historic victory at Gabba, ended with yet another historic triumph as India became the first Asian country to beat South Africa in red-ball cricket in Centurion.

Scenes from Centurion https://t.co/Z3MPyesSeZ goes behind the scenes post #TeamIndia's historic win at SuperSport Park

Full video coming up soon - Stay tuned #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/oKyGhm0MxF

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 30, 2021

A huge amount of credit for India’s impressive Test win has to go to skipper Virat Kohli because the way he marshalled the troops was simply outstanding. He struggled to score big throughout the year but he never let it affect his decision-making.

List of Virat Kohli's Centuries#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/YvTtnGtUR6

— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) December 29, 2021

The 33-year-old modern day great might have ended the second consecutive year without an international century but if you had given him a choice at the start of the year between runs and number of wins, he would have picked the latter without any delay.

#TeamIndia go 1-0 up in the series with their first ever Test win at Centurion.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/DB68dMunHL

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 30, 2021

Despite having a quiet year with the bat, Kohli managed to break several captaincy records throughout the year. Same was the case when India defeated South Africa by 113 runs in the Boxing Day Test in Centurion.

Most Lucky Indian Captain In Test Cricket View this post on Instagram

There is a common notion that Kohli has a poor record when it comes to the flip of the coin but the stats tell a completely different story. To many people’s surprise, after he won the toss in Centurion, Kohli surpassed Mohammed Azharuddin to win the most number of tosses for India in Test cricket. Of the 68 matches Kohli has led India in, he has won 30 tosses, while Azharuddin won 29 tosses in 47 Tests.

First Indian Captain To Win 40 Tests

Brilliant way to start the tour. pic.twitter.com/1WdrHwfP2X

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 30, 2021

Prior to this Test match, Kohli was already India’s most successful Test captain but he entered an elite list of leaders after his side registered a historic win in Centurion. He became the first India captain to guide the country to 40 Test wins. Besides Kohli, only three more players Graeme Smith (53), Ricky Ponting (48), and Steve Waugh (41) have won 40 or more Test matches while leading the side.

Only Captain With Multiple Test Wins In South Africa View this post on Instagram

With this victory, Kohli also became the only Indian skipper to win more than one Test match in South Africa. His previous win as a captain of the side came on their last tour in 2017/18 at Johannesburg. Besides Kohli only two other Indian leaders have been able to notch up a Test victory in the Rainbow Nation – Rahul Dravid (2006/07) and MS Dhoni (2010/11).

Only Asian Captain To Win Multiple Boxing Day Tests

Virat Kohli, the first Asian captain to win two Boxing Day Tests pic.twitter.com/Cki7htUpEn

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 30, 2021

Another unique record that Kohli created by winning the Centurion Test is that he became the only Indian captain to win more than one Boxing Day Tests. Kohli won his first Boxing Day Test match as a captain at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against Australia in 2018.

First Asian Captain To Win Test Match In Centurion

South Africa's only losses in Centurion:

, 2000 - 8 wickets
, 2014 - 281 runs
, 2021 - 113 runs

India, the first Asian team to breach South Africa's fortress https://t.co/wbgsLu72kU | #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Dck1LgFak8

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 30, 2021

South Africa has always been a tough place to travel for any Asian team and it shows in the match result. While playing at any venue in South Africa is a huge challenge for sub-continent sides, the Centurion has arguably been the toughest of the all. After all, there was a reason why no Asian could breach this fortress before Kohli’s men.

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