Run chase: Virat Kohli looks to topple Aussie run machine Steve Smith

Ranchi: On-song Virat Kohli is looking to topple Aussie run machine Steve Smith in the international batting rankings as India push for a whitewash over South Africa in the third Test starting on Saturday.

Kohli’s career-best 254 not out in India’s second successive win in the three-match series moved him to within one point of Smith in the International Cricket Council Test chart.

Smith replaced Kohli at number one last month following his blazing Ashes series against England and after the Indian star made a golden duck against the West Indies.

The Australian, who only returned to Tests in August after a year-long ban for ball-tampering, is out of action in the five-day format until November 21 when Australia host Pakistan.

Kohli regained lost ground against the struggling South Africans in the current series as he scored his seventh Test double century, joining England great Wally Hammond and Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene.

He also went past Don Bradman’s tally of 6,996 runs in 52 Tests.

With the Pune win last Sunday, India registered a record 11th straight Test series triumph at home. Australia have had two streaks of 10 home series wins.

“I’m just happy to be where I am. Putting the team in a commanding position is the only thing I strive for,” said Kohli, who tops the ODI batting chart.