Veteran Indian batter Virat Kohli has come back in form with style, smashing his 30th international Test century during the India vs Australia 1st Test match in Perth. There were doubts starting to emerge about Kohli's role in the Indian team after some mediocre knocks in 2024 but the veteran batters has answered his critics in the best way possible.
Kohli scored just 5 runs in the first innings, but the signs were ominous for the former Indian captain in the second innings as he played a straight drive early on and soon followed it up with his trademark cover drive. Towards the end of his innings, Kohli even tried some unconventional shots, hitting a reverse sweep and even a sweep.
In the end, Kohli reached his 81st international ton off just 143 balls, studded with 8 boundaries and 2 sixes.
Speaking to Adam Gilchrist for the broadcasters, Kohli said, “I'm not a guy who hangs around for the sake of it. I take pride in performing for the country.”
Kohli’s ton in Perth marks his 7th Test century in Australia and 9th overall against the Kangaroos. He has equalled Wally Hammond’s tally (7) for the most centuries by a visiting batter in Australia, placing him second only to Jack Hobbs, who has 9 centuries.
Kohli has also surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the Indian batter with the most centuries in Australia, eclipsing Tendulkar’s six tons. Additionally, the veteran batter has matched Sunil Gavaskar’s record for the most Test centuries scored in an away country. Gavaskar had seven centuries against the West Indies. Meanwhile, Kohli now holds the record for the most centuries (10) by a visiting batsman in Australia across formats.
