India vs. Australia, 1st Test: Kohli Eyeing To Break Tendulkar, Lara's Records Down Under

Indian captain Virat Kohli is eyeing to break records held by legendary duo Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara Down Under ahead of the first Test between India and Australia, which starts Thursday.

The opening Test of the four-match series will be played at the Adelaide Oval, which will also be Kohli's only appearance in the Australian summer. After the first Test, Kohli will return home to be with his wife for the birth of their first child, and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane will lead India in the remaining Tests.

With 610 runs, West Indian legend Lara holds the record of most runs scored at the Adelaide Oval by a visiting player. Lara had played four Tests at the venue and scored runs at an excellent average of 76.25, which included two centuries and as many half-centuries.

He may lose the spot, provided Kohli scores 179 runs or more in the day-night Test in Adelaide, the venue where the 32-year-old had registered his maiden Test hundred.

In terms of the number of tons scored by an Indian batsman on Australian soil, Tendulkar and Kohli are the current joint-holders of the record, having scored six centuries each. The Master Blaster recorded 1,809 runs in 38 innings at an average of 53.2. Kohli, meanwhile, has scored 1,274 runs Down Under in 23 innings at an average of 55.39. The Indian skipper can surpass Tendulkar in the record if he scores a ton in the upcoming first Test. Kohli, who made his first appearance at the Adelaide Oval in 2012, has shown to have a special liking for the ground, where he has scored 431 runs in three Tests at an average of 71.83.

During India's 2014-15 tour of Australia, Kohli scored twin centuries at the Adelaide Oval. The match was special for another reason as Kohli had captained India for the first time in the Tests in the absence of MS Dhoni.

Overall, England's Sir Jack Hobbs continues to hold the record of most centuries scores in Australia by a visiting batsman – 9 centuries in Tests, ahead of compatriot Wally Hammond (7 centuries).

The Australian summer will kickstart Thursday with the first Test at the Adelaide Oval and the other three Tests between Australia and India are scheduled to be played in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.