India's experienced campaigner Virat Kohli played an almost chanceless knock on Day 3 of the first Test at Perth Stadium. Kohli looked mostly comfortable against Australia's ace off-spinner Nathan Lyon but he was beaten by a delivery that turned massively, missed the stumps and then went for a boundary via byes.
After the oustanding delivery in the 114th over, Kohli and Lyon had a conversation at the non-striker's end.
"That was a decent ball," said Lyon.
"Easy one, guys," replied Kohli with a smile.
"Oh Jeez, that's not respect there," Lyon responded in a sarcastic tone.
Kohli was batting on 47 then. With the old ball Lyon dismissed Washington Sundar. He bowled 39 overs, conceded 96 runs and picked two wickets. His other wicket on Day 3 was wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant.
Kohli went on to score his century from 143 balls. He hit Lyon for a six going down the track. He also used reverse sweep against Lyon. As soon as the 36-year-old reached his century, Jasprit Bumrah declared the innings, setting a target of 534. This was Kohli's 30th Test century and seventh on Australian soil. He went past Sachin Tendulkar who had six Test centuries in Australia.
Kohli who had not scored a Test century in 2024 before Perth opened about his struggles. He dedicated the century to his wife Anushka Sharma.
"Anushka has been right by my side through thick and thin. She knows everything that goes on behind the scenes. Knows what goes on in the head when you're not performing well. I'm not a guy who hangs around for the sake of it. I take pride in performing for the country," he said.
Big win for India
India ended up winning the first Test by 295 runs. This is India's biggest win against Australia in Australia by run margin. Also, India became the first team to beat Australia at Perth Stadium.
The next Test will begin on December 5 at Adelaide Oval. It will be a pink-ball Test. Before that, a two-day warm-up against Prime Minsiters XI has been schedueld to start on December 30 at Manuka Oval, Canberra.
