Virat Kohli paid tribute to his wife after blasting a majestic drought-breaking century to silence his critics and put India in the box seat for victory heading into day four of the first Test.
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Kohli had not scored a Test century since late 2023, with critics wondering if the end was near after his scratchy five in the first innings.
But as all the great players do, King Kohli responded with his seventh Test century in Australia to see India reach 6 for 487 declared with a lead of 534, before having Australia on the ropes at 3-12 at stumps.
The master of pacing an innings compiled the bulk of his runs in a partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal (161), but as wickets fell and a declaration loomed, Kohli turned the heat up a notch in his surge to triple figures.
Kohli’s 30th Test century, which drew him to within four of Sunil Gavaskar for equal third all-time for India in Test cricket, was arguably one of his best and included eight fours and two sixes.
But not even Kohli knew he had scored a ton at first, with a misfield in the deep seeing the ball trickle into the rope.
Adam Gilchrist managed to interview Kohli with the emotions still raw as he came off the field blowing kisses to his wife and family in the crowd.
“Virat Kohli what a moment, your first Test century in 16 months and you didn’t even know,” Gilchrist said.
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“Tell us how meaningful is that? We could see what it meant and the gesture to your wife up in the stand.”
Kohli spoke of the support his wife has given him during a lean spell at Test level and defiantly said he was not prepared to prolong his Test career unless he is making big runs for the team.
“Yeah look I mean my wife Anushka has been right by my side through thick and thin,” Kohli said.
“She knows everything that goes on behind the scenes when I’m in the room. What goes on in your head when you don’t play as well or you make a few mistakes when you are getting yourself in.
“I just wanted to contribute to the team scores. I’m not a guy who wants to hang around just for the sake of it.
“I take pride in performing for my country and it just feels amazing and the fact that she is here makes it even more special.”
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“Thank you very much for that quick word, go and join your teammates,” Gilchrist said.
“Congratulations Virat Kohli, what a remarkable effort. So well received by the Indian faithful.
“His seventh century in Australia. He knows these conditions. What a player.”
Mark Howard left it to India legend Ravi Shastri to sum up Kohli’s wonderful innings, that had it all.
“It’s time to hand over to Ravi Shastri, who has seen this man’s journey right from the start,” Howard said.
“What does this mean for you, the country and the man and in fact the team, who are now in such a dominant position?”
Shastri couldn’t recall a better century from a touring player, given his form leading into the game, but it continued Kohli’s stunning results in Test matches in Australia.
“I doubt an overseas player in the last 15 years has come to Australia and played in this fashion,” Shastri said.
“Seven hundreds in Australia. The big stage, the big ground. One of the bounciest pitches in the world.
“He plays two Test matches and he gets two hundreds. You can’t get a better stage and to set up the series.
“They call him the King. To get a hundred in the very first Test match of the series. It is a terrific signal for India. It is ominous from Australia’s point of view.
“But look at the joy. It’s a popular hundred and I think fans the world over wanted to see this bloke come to Australia and perform again.”
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However, Howard noted that Kohli was the last person in world cricket to know he had reached three figures.
“He was for a moment there, the only cricket fan in the world who wasn’t sure if he got to 100,” Howard said.
“The ball had got to the boundary and the entire cricket world was celebrating the hundred before Virat realised.”
But Shastri knew Kohli was destined for a big innings from the moment he walked out to bat.
“Look at his family and his wife out here,” Shastri said.
“It means a lot to him. What a servant he has been for Indian cricket and what an ambassador for Test match cricket world wide.
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“This is a special moment. He will have a tear in his eye. He has worked so hard for it.
“But sometimes with great players the moment they come in from the outset in the first 10 minutes you saw his feet moving, you knew the signs were there that the big man is back.”
Former Aussie opener David Warner scored a similar drought-breaking double ton in Perth last season on his farewell tour and knew exactly what was going through Kohli’s head.
“Run out of superlatives there Ravi,” Warner said.
“Absolutely incredible. I can feel the emotion. His connection between him and his wife and his family and how much it means to him.
“People don’t realise how much goes on behind closed doors. The thoughts that go through your head as Virat Kohli said. It is not easy work. Congratulations to Virat Kohli.”
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