Kohli was unbeaten on 59 at the close of play on Day 3 in Ahmedabad.
Riding on Shubman Gill’s century (128) and notable contributions from Virat Kohli (59*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (42), the hosts scored 289/3 at the close of play on Day 3, trailing the visitors by 191 runs in the first innings.
In particular, it was a precious knock for Kohli as he slammed his first half-century in Test cricket since January 2022 after 16 innings.
After the day’s play, Australian legend Matthew Hayden was all praise for how Virat handled the pressure.
“Pujara is custom built for this type of wicket, Gill as well, but what I was curious to see was how Virat was going to respond,” Hayden said on Star Sports.
During his 28-ball stay at the crease, Kohli was involved in a 58-run stand with Gill and followed it with an unbeaten 44-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.
Hayden lauded Kohli for his heartwarming celebration from the dugout once Shubman Gill notched up his second Test century.
“What I liked to see was, Virat Kohli was very animated at Shubman Gill's success and that gives some insight into the individual that is Virat Kohli as well. He is not thinking about himself while being under pressure. It was a nice moment,” he added.
Kohli had arrived in the middle at the stroke of Tea and he seemed quite uncertain blocking away the over from Nathan Lyon but looked completely in control throughout the third session.
“I was curious to see how he would maintain that fight. He had to really put up a great battle, didn't he, right ahead of the tea break. A really awkward four or five balls. And then after tea, he took control, set himself little targets. Really good half century, well deserved,” said Hayden.
On Day 4, Virat Kohli would look to end his much-awaited Test century drought. Notably, Kohli hasn’t hit a ton in the longest format since November 2019.