King Kohli rediscovers his magic with sensational ton to end his Test century drought as tourists take huge lead over Australia
The King is back.
Not only is Australia headed towards a disastrous Test defeat to India in Perth, but veteran Virat ‘King’ Kohli has returned to form with an unbeaten century.
Kohli entered the Border-Gavaskar series under all sorts of pressure to perform.
The 36-year-old had posted just two centuries in his past 60 Test innings, and he scored only 93 runs at an average of 15.5 in India’s recent seismic 3-0 home defeat to New Zealand.
After Kohli made a scratchy five off 12 balls in India’s meagre 150 against Australia on Friday, the pressure ramped up even more.
But it was the Kohli of old in the second innings, with the 119-Test veteran striking a 143-ball ton – his 30th in the long game – to lift India to what appeared an unlosable position.
Kohli raised his arms and blew a kiss to the crowd on reaching his century, with India immediately declaring at 6-487.
Virat Kohli has rediscovered his form to strike a century during Day three of the third Test
It was Kohli’s 30th century and his first ton since in 16 Test innings, with the India batter cutting an elated figure as he left the pitch
Australia, meanwhile, endured a nightmare day and going 534 runs adrift of India
Australia were set 534 to win with a little more than two days remaining – a near impossible task on a pitch starting to display plenty of demons again.
Kohli walked to the crease with India already well placed at 2-275 and with a lead of 319 after the heroics of Yashasvi Jaiswal (161).
Australia’s bowlers were already gassed by that point, having toiled unsuccessfully for hours in the 36C heat.
Kohli looked calm and composed as he worked his way into battle.
A series of beautiful drives started his run tally ticking, and there was drama when he cut Mitchell Starc for six.
The ball bounced over the rope before striking an unsuspecting security guard, who was busy watching the crowd when the ball cannoned into the side of his head.
Nathan McSweeney and Nathan Lyon checked on his welfare before a Cricket Australia medical staff member escorted him from the field.
It symbolised the damage Kohli was inflicting on Australia’s already battered spirits.
Kohli flicked Pat Cummins through the on-side to bring up his half-century off 94 balls, sending the pro-Indian crowd wild.
He needed only 49 more balls to bring up his century – his first Test ton since his 121 against the West Indies in July, 2023, and just his third since 2020.
Australia’s bowlers could not capitalise on the conditions with India going on to declare late in the afternoon
Frustration was visible as Cummins’ men were unable to dismiss Kohli, who turned up the heat
It came after opener Yashasvi Jaiswal struck a huge 161 runs to set India up for the huge score
Barring something remarkable, India will go on to win this Test, giving them a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
And with spiritual leader Kohli back in form, they will well and truly have their tails up when the series moves to Adelaide.
Australia have looked scratchy in Perth. It’s not overly surprising, given their most recent Test was against New Zealand in March.
In contrast, India played two Tests against Bangladesh in September and another three against New Zealand in India in October/November.
Although India were whitewashed at home by the Kiwis, it at least meant they were battle hardened heading to Australia.
