Kohli's India close in on Ponting's men

A first-ever series win in South Africa this summer could see Virat Kohli's India lay claim to being one of the most successful Test sides in the history of the game.

India's series win in Sri Lanka, which was confirmed with victory in the second Test on Sunday, was their eighth series win in a row, one behind the all-time record of nine jointly held by England (1884-1892) and Australia (2005-2008).

Given the ease with which Kohli's side has dismantled Sri Lanka away from home in recent weeks, they'd be expected to do the same in a proposed return series later this year.

A ninth consecutive series win there would mean a triumph in their proposed series in South Africa (which has also yet to be officially locked in) would see them claim the record for themselves. A historic victory in South Africa would also be India's first-ever series win there; the Proteas have won five of six series at home against India since their re-admission in 1992, while the 2010 series was drawn.

No matter the result in South Africa over the summer, Kohli's side have already written their names in the history books as one of India's best ever.

Since Kohli took over the captaincy on a full-time basis in 2015, India have lost just two of 26 Tests; a 63-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the first match of the Kohli era two years ago, and the 333-run thumping at the hands of Australia in Pune earlier this year.

They responded to that initial loss in Galle by winning the final two matches of the series to triumph 2-1 and have followed that with wins against South Africa (3-0 at home), West Indies (2-0 away), New Zealand (3-0 at home), England (4-0 at home), Bangladesh (a one-off Test at home), Australia (2-1 at home) and now Sri Lanka away (they currently lead the series 2-0 with one Test to play).

The record-equalling Australian side of a decade ago, led by Ricky Ponting, enjoyed series wins in South Africa, Bangladesh and the West Indies and triumphed at home against the ICC World XI, the Windies, South Africa, England, Sri Lanka and India. They lost only one Test from 26 in that time, to India in Perth, and it was India who brought their streak to an end with victory in the 2008 Border-Gavaskar series.

The record-holding England side won seven consecutive Ashes series in their streak of nine straight wins (four in England, three in Australia) as well as two series in South Africa.

A key to India's recent success has been their ability to rack up mammoth first-innings totals with the bat, like they have in the current series against Sri Lanka.

Their first-innings totals of 600 in Galle and 9-622 declared in Colombo was the 28th and 29th time in their history they have scored 600 or more in an innings, six of which have come in the past nine months.

They are now just three behind Australia's Test record of 32 600-plus scores and coach Ravi Shastri has no doubt that record will soon be toppled.

"India can certainly surpass Australia's record of scoring over 600 runs most number of times," he told the Deccan Chronicle. "I am sure this team will surely achieve this. When, I can't say.

"Whether this year, next year or some other time. But I would be happy if it is done during my tenure as a coach with the team."