Virat Kohli celebrated a monumental achievement on Day 3 of the first Test between India and Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth, marking his 30th Test century. This milestone not only highlights his exceptional talent but also cements his legacy in the cricketing world, as he surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the Indian with the most Test hundreds in Australia.
Virat Kohli’s celebration over historic knock
Kohli’s innings of 100 runs came off just 143 balls, showcasing a blend of patience and aggression. He struck eight fours and two sixes, demonstrating his classic batting style that has captivated fans around the globe. He achieved this feat with a sweep towards fine leg for a boundary. After reaching his century, Kohli celebrated exuberantly and blew a kiss to his wife, Anushka Sharma, who was in the stands cheering him on. Anushka, married to the former Indian captain since December 2018, applauded her husband enthusiastically.
This century was particularly significant as it ended a 15-month drought for Kohli, with his last Test hundred recorded against the West Indies in July 2023. His performance was critical in helping India set a daunting target of 534 runs for Australia, following a strong opening partnership and a solid second innings from the team.
Also READ: AUS vs IND [Twitter reactions]: Virat Kohli overtakes Sachin Tendulkar, Don Bradman as he smashes 30th Test century on Day 3 of the Perth Test
Here’s the video:
He’s back! Virat Kohli hits his 30th Test ton!#AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/X6P7RnajnX
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 24, 2024
Kohli’s record-breaking feats
With this century, Kohli not only reached his 30th Test ton but also achieved several records:
- He became the only Indian batter to score seven Test centuries on Australian soil, surpassing Tendulkar’s six.
- Kohli now holds the record for the most centuries by an overseas batter against Australia across all formats, totalling ten.
- His tally of seven hundreds in just 14 matches places him alongside legendary cricketer Wally Hammond, who also scored seven centuries in Australia but over a longer span of matches.
Kohli’s journey to this milestone was not without challenges. Entering this series, he faced immense pressure due to a lack of form, having scored only two Test centuries in the last four years. His first innings performance in Perth was disappointing, where he managed just five runs. However, he rebounded brilliantly in the second innings, showcasing his grit and focus. The early signs of his return to form were evident when he executed a flawless straight drive off Pat Cummins, setting the tone for his innings.
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