At Optus Stadium in Perth, Virat Kohli silenced his critics. He did it with a superb half-century in the first Test against Australia. The former Indian captain hit his 32nd Test fifty. It was another milestone in his great career.
Kohli faced scrutiny for his red-ball form after a tough 2024 season. He made a decisive statement in the second innings. He faced 94 balls and scored 50 runs. He hit three fours and a six. This showed his class in tough conditions.
Kohli Equals Sachin Tendulkar’s Record in SENA Countries
With this innings, Kohli matched Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 74 scores over fifty in SENA countries: South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia. This feat shows Kohli’s greatness in tough cricketing conditions.
Most 50+ Scores by an Indian in SENA Countries:
1. 74 – Virat Kohli*
2. 74 – Sachin Tendulkar
3. 60 – Rahul Dravid
4. 45 – Rohit Sharma
5. 40 – Sourav Ganguly
6. 38 – MS Dhoni
Kohli Closes in on Viv Richards’ Record
Kohli’s 23rd fifty against Australia in Australia equaled Tendulkar’s mark. It also put him ahead of Desmond Haynes in cricket history. He is now second for fifty-plus scores against Australia on its soil, behind only the great Viv Richards.
Most 50+ Scores Against Australia in Australia (Innings):
1. 36 – Viv Richards (77)
2. 23 – Virat Kohli (55)*
3. 22 – Desmond Haynes (90)
4. 19 – Clive Lloyd (60)
5. 19 – Sachin Tendulkar (63)
Kohli’s latest effort shows he can excel in high-pressure games, especially against tough foes like Australia.
India in Control in Perth
At the time of writing, India have extended their dominance in the match, reaching 406/5 and establishing a lead of 452 runs. Kohli remains unbeaten on 66 off 115 balls, inching closer to his first Test century of 2024.
The knock reminds us of Kohli’s quality in the longest format. India want to assert their supremacy early in this Test series.
