Virat Kohli’s Century Lifts India to Record Win
Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 100 off 143 balls in Perth. It led India to a 295-run win over Australia in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy match. Jaiswal boosted Kohli’s effort with his 161 off 297, and Rahul contributed with his 77 off 176. This helped India set a huge target of 534. This victory was India’s largest Test win in Australia. It showed their dominance in the series opener.
Kohli’s brilliance came at a crucial moment. India fell to 150 in their first innings. Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah then led a fiery response. He took 5 wickets and restricted Australia to just 104 runs. India’s top-order comeback, led by Jaiswal, Rahul, and Kohli, sealed the match in India’s favor.
Rahul Dravid’s Praise and Warning for Australia
Rahul Dravid coached India on their last Test tour to South Africa. He praised Kohli’s form and predicted a big series for him. On Star Sports, Dravid noted Kohli’s steady improvement. This was despite a tough stretch in Tests before this series.
“He’s been batting really well, even in South Africa a few months ago when we were there, I thought he was batting really well on a couple of difficult wickets. It’s just nice for him to be able to get that hundred at the start of the series. I think he could have a big series,” – Dravid on Star Sports.
Key Statistics from India’s Dominant Performance
- Virat Kohli’s Century: Kohli’s 30th Test ton came in a 77-run stand with Nitish Reddy in the final innings.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 161: Jaiswal’s century was his first in Australia. It anchored India’s second innings.
- Jasprit Bumrah’s 5-Wicket Haul: The stand-in captain destroyed Australia’s first innings. It gave India a big edge.
- Margin of Victory: India’s 295-run win is their largest in a Test match played on Australian soil.
Kohli Joins Elite Club with 30th Test Century
Virat Kohli’s century in Perth put him in an elite group of Indian cricketers. He now has 30 Test tons, like legends Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar. At 34, Kohli achieved this milestone after a tough stretch in his recent Tests. He had only one fifty in five matches before this series.
Kohli’s comeback innings showed he could adapt under pressure. On Day 3’s final stages, he took an aggressive approach. This was uncharacteristic for him. It ensured India declared with enough time to bowl at Australia.
