Indian cricket sensation Virat Kohli broke his Test century drought in style, delivering a match-defining performance in the first Test of the five-match series against Australia at the Optus Stadium, Perth, on Sunday.
Kohli, who had been under scrutiny for his form in red-ball cricket with an average of just 32 since 2020, silenced critics with an elegant century in India’s second innings. His knock not only reaffirmed his status as one of the modern-day greats but also put India in a commanding position.
After a disappointing dismissal for just five runs on the opening day, Kohli returned to the crease on day two with renewed focus. Facing a challenging pitch and relentless Australian bowling, Kohli showcased his trademark composure and skill. His innings featured exquisite cover drives, including a standout shot off Australian skipper Pat Cummins, and impressive footwork against Nathan Lyon, proving his ability to adapt against quality spin.
The century—his 30th in Test cricket and 81st overall—ended a 17-innings drought. With 10 boundaries and two sixes, Kohli’s 132-run knock also saw him join England’s Jack Hobbs in second place for most centuries by a visiting batter in Australia. Kohli now boasts a record 10 centuries in Australia across formats, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s six centuries in Tests on Australian soil.
In a post-match interview with former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, Kohli reflected on his milestone: “I’m not a guy who hangs around for the sake of it. I take pride in performing for the country.”
India’s stand-in captain, Jasprit Bumrah, declared the innings soon after Kohli’s ton, leaving Australia a daunting target of 534 runs to chase.
The century not only marked Kohli’s resurgence in Test cricket but also set the stage for an exciting series ahead.
