Virat Kohli hit his 75th international century.
This was Kohli’s first Test century since November 2019 and it was also his first score of over 50 since January last year. By bringing up his three figures, Kohli also reached the 75 international centuries milestone.
It was a knock of character and grit as Kohli curbed his natural instincts and was happy with not going at a brisk pace for the most part of the innings in Ahmedabad. In fact, Kohli went without hitting a boundary 162 balls and did not hit one in the first session on Sunday.
India keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who is doing commentary in the series, lauded Virat Kohli for his grit and determination in this knock.
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"His 8th hundred against Australia. He has got it against the best and he has been consistent at that. You go through ebbs and flows when you score a hundred. This one has come slowly to him. It tested his patience, but he definitely battled all the demons, not on the pitch, but in the mind," Dinesh Karthik said on Star Sports on Sunday.
Karthik highlighted that it was great to see Kohli's discipline and the ability to control his urge to score freely on a pitch where run-scoring wasn't easy.
"What's been amazing about this knock today is he has batted close to 2 and half hours and not got one boundary yet. He has weathered the storm and done it in his way. And it's been beautiful to watch. It's been a long-time coming," he added.
Kohli found an able ally in KS Bharat (44) and then in Akshar Patel as India was 472/5 at tea in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 480.