King Kohli rediscovers his magic with sparkling ton

3 minute read

Virat Kohli has returned to form with an unbeaten 100 off 143 balls as India push closer to victory in their Border-Gavaskar series opener against Australia.

The King is back.

Not only is Australia headed towards a disastrous Test defeat to India in Perth, but veteran Virat 'King' Kohli has returned to form with an unbeaten century.

Kohli entered the Border-Gavaskar series under all sorts of pressure to perform.

The 36-year-old had posted just two centuries in his past 60 Test innings, and he scored only 93 runs at an average of 15.5 in India's recent seismic 3-0 home defeat to New Zealand.

After Kohli made a scratchy five off 12 balls in India's meagre 150 against Australia on Friday, the pressure ramped up even more.

But it was the Kohli of old in the second innings, with the 119-Test veteran striking a 143-ball ton - his 30th in the long game - to lift India to what appeared an unlosable position.

It was Kohli's ninth century from 26 Tests against Australia - seven of which have come in this country - and he now has two tons from as many Tests at Perth Stadium.

Kohli raised his arms and blew a kiss to his Bollywood star wife Anushka Sharma in the crowd upon reaching his century, with India immediately declaring at 6-487.

"Anushka has been right by my side through thick and thin," Kohli told Fox Sports as he walked off the field.

"She knows everything that goes on behind the scenes ... what goes on in the head when you don't play as well or you make a few mistakes when you're getting yourself in.

"I just wanted to contribute to the team score. I'm not a guy who wants to hang around just for the sake of it.

"I take pride in performing for my country. It just feels amazing, and the fact she's here makes it even more special."

Australia were set 534 to win with a little more than two days remaining - a near impossible task on a pitch starting to display plenty of demons again.

They will begin day four at 3-12.

Kohli walked to the crease with India already well placed at 2-275 and with a lead of 319 after the heroics of Yashasvi Jaiswal (161).

Australia's bowlers were already gassed by that point, having toiled unsuccessfully for hours in the 36C heat.

Kohli looked calm and composed as he worked his way into battle.

A series of beautiful drives started his run tally ticking, and there was drama when he cut Mitchell Starc for six.

The ball bounced over the rope before striking an unsuspecting security guard, who was busy watching the crowd when the ball cannoned into the side of his head.

Nathan McSweeney and Nathan Lyon checked on his welfare before a Cricket Australia medical staff member escorted him from the field.

It symbolised the damage Kohli was inflicting on Australia's already battered spirits.

Kohli flicked Pat Cummins through the on-side to bring up his half-century off 94 balls, sending the pro-Indian crowd wild. 

He needed only 49 more balls to bring up his century - his first Test ton since his 121 against the West Indies in July, 2023, and just his third since 2020.

"I think when he came out, he looked positive," Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood said of Kohli. 

"He probably left a bit better in the second innings early on. And then I think the game situation probably dictated how he needed to play. 

"He needed to probably get on with it a bit so India could have a bowl at us tonight. 

"So that probably forced his hand a little bit, which can take the pressure off sometimes. 

"We saw probably almost a one-day innings from him, manipulating the field, manipulating the bowlers and all that sort of stuff."