- Virat Kohli reached his 30th Test century, ending an innings-ton drought of 16
- Australia struggled to dismiss Indian batsmen who declared at 6-487
- It means Australia are now chasing a huge lead of 534 runs to win.
The King has returned.
Not only are Australia heading for a disastrous Test loss 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 kinds of pressure to perform.
The 36-year-old had registered just two centuries in his last 60 Test innings, and scored just 93 runs at an average of 15.5 in India’s recent seismic 3-0 home defeat to New Zealand.
After Kohli scored five off 12 balls in India’s meager 150 against Australia on Friday, the pressure mounted even more.
But it was the Kohli of old in the second innings, with the 119-Test veteran hitting a 143-ball ton, his 30th in the long game, to take India to what looked like a can’t-miss position.
Kohli raised his arms and blew a kiss to the crowd upon reaching his century, and India immediately declared 6-487.
Virat Kohli has rediscovered his form to score a century during the third day of the third Test.
It was Kohli’s 30th century and his first ton since in 16 Test innings, with the India batsman cutting an elated figure as he left the field.
Meanwhile, Australia endured a nightmare day and were 534 runs adrift of India.
Australia had 534 wins with just over two days remaining, an almost impossible task in a field that was beginning to show many demons again.
Kohli walked towards the crease with India already well placed at 2-275 and a lead of 319 after the heroics of Yashasvi Jaiswal (161).
Australia’s bowlers were already gassed by this time, having toiled unsuccessfully for hours in the 36°C heat.
Kohli looked calm and collected as he made his way into the battle.
A series of beautiful runs saw his run tally rise, and there was drama when he edged out Mitchell Starc by six.
The ball bounced over the rope before hitting an unsuspecting security guard, who was busy watching the crowd when the ball hit the side of his head.
Nathan McSweeney and Nathan Lyon checked on his well-being before he was escorted off the field by a member of Cricket Australia’s medical staff.
It symbolized the damage Kohli was inflicting on Australia’s already battered spirits.
Kohli bowled Pat Cummins on the right side to add to his half-century off 94 balls, sending the pro-India crowd into a frenzy.
He needed just 49 more balls to reach his century – his first Test ton since his 121 against the West Indies in July 2023, and only his third since 2020.
Australia’s bowlers were unable to take advantage of the conditions and India declared late in the afternoon.
Frustration was visible when Cummins’ men failed to dismiss Kohli, who raised the temperature.
It came after opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a massive 161 runs to set India up for the big score.
Barring something notable, India will win this Test, giving them a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
And with spiritual leader Kohli back in form, they will really have their tails up when the series moves to Adelaide.
Australia looked irritated in Perth. Not too surprising given his 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 the Kiwis whitewashed India at home, at least it meant they were battle-hardened heading into Australia.