Watch: Virat Kohli's upper cut for six off Mitchell Starc hits steward in Perth on head, Australian players and physio rush to check on him

After opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's 161-run knock, it was Virat Kohli's turn to torment the Australian batters on Day 3 of the first Test at Optus Stadium, Perth. Kohli who was dismissed cheaply in the first innings made a few adjustments and hit a few exquisite shots to give the crowd what them came for. While Kohli's shots enthralled the fans in attendance, his first six of the innings ended up hitting a steward on the boundary on the left side of his head. 

In the 101st over of India's second innings, Starc bowled a short delivery. Kohli flashed his bat and managed to clear the rope with ease. However, the ball hit the steward sitting outside the boundary line on the side of his head. Kohli was concerned for the steward as Australian players including Nathan Lyon rushed to his aide. The Australian physio also checked up on him for concussion. 

After the third session, he reached his half-century from 94 deliveries. This is his 11th fifty-plus score on Australian soil. 

Kohli came in to bat in the 85th over of the innings.  As Yashasvi Jaiswal departed, India lost three wickets for just eight runs. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant got stumped out by Nathan Lyon whereas Dhruv Jurel was dismissed lbw by Pat Cummins. Kohli and Washington Sundar shared an 89-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Sundar scored 29 runs from 94 balls. He was knocked over by Lyon in the third session.

ALSO READ: 'When the team is in trouble... Gauti bhai, Bumrah...': Coach Abhishek Nayar reveals conversations after India got bowled out for 150 in Perth

This was Kohli's first half-century after five innings in red-ball cricket. He scored 70 runs against New Zealand in Bengaluru Test. In the last five innings, he registered four single-digit scores. He scored 28 runs from last five innings.

ALSO READ: 'I'm not too sure how many of them have Indian passports': 'Sunil Gavaskar lambasts Bharat Army for disrespecting Indian flag

Kohli moves up the list

During his knock, Kohli also broke West Indies batter Kraigg Brathwaite's record for most runs by a visiting batter in Perth. Brathwaite had 174 runs in Perth. 

Also, Kohli surpassed former West Indies batter Desmond Haynes on the list of most fifty-plus scores against Australia in Australia in international cricket. Kohli has 23 such fifty-plus scores. He is only behind Vivian Richards who has 36 fifty-plus scores against Australia in Australia on international stage.