IND v AUS 2023: WATCH- Steve Smith checks out Virat Kohli’s bat, does shadow batting with it during drinks break

Virat Kohli made his first half-century in Tests since 2022.

Virat Kohli had a good time out in the middle on day three of the ongoing fourth Test between India and Australia being played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, on March 11, 2023, as he broke the drought of runs in Test cricket.

Kohli remained unbeaten on 59 in 128 balls with 5 fours to his name as India finished day three on 289/3, still 191 runs behind Australia’s first innings total of 480. This was Virat Kohli’s first half-century in Tests for over a year, as his last fifty in Tests came in 2022 against South Africa.

He played out the tough time and scored runs when he could.

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Earlier Shubman Gill made 128 runs, adding 74 for the opening wicket with Rohit Sharma (35) and 113 runs for the second wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara (42), as India hit back at Australian bowlers who managed to stifle the flow of runs for a while.

Meanwhile, all eyes were on Virat Kohli and he didn’t disappoint as he played spinners late and had his defense uptight to both Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy.

After 87 overs were completed, the umpires called for extra drinks break before the final 13 overs of the day were to be bowled. Kohli was resting on his knees and then Steve Smith approached him and picked up Kohli’s bat and began shadow batting with it and checked it out.

Here is the video: