• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Indian national cricket team vs Australian men's cricket team match:

Virat Kohli, India's talismanic batter, put up a show in the first Test against Australia in Perth in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Sunday.

The Optus Stadium once again witnessed a batting masterclass from Kohli who smashed a memorable hundred and took his team closer to a famous victory.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri was quick to react and praise Virat's fine effort, saying that it's an "ominous" sign for Australia and that no touring player in the last 15 years might not have produced such knocks more regularly than the batting star.

ALSO READ: Virat Kohli Lights Up Perth With 81st Hundred, Smashes Sachin Tendulkar's THIS LEGENDARY RECORD

Kohli brought up his 30th hundred on the third day of the first Test despite struggling for form in the lead-up to the five-match Test series.

This was 36-year-old Kohli's seventh century in Australia, the most by an Indian with one ahead of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar (6).

"Seven hundreds in Australia. The big stage, the big ground. It's one of the bounciest pitches in the world. I doubt an overseas player in the last 15 years has come to Australia and played in this fashion,” Shastri said on commentary on Sunday.

“He plays two Test matches and he gets two hundreds. You can't get a better stage and to set up the series."

Kohli's last century before this was the 121 against the West Indies at Port of Spain in July 2023, and since then 15 innings have passed without a three-figure mark.

Shastri, who had a successful stint with Kohli as India's captain, said the seasoned batter coming into form can be seen as an ominous sign for Australia.

"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."

Former Australia opener David Warner, who himself scored a similar drought-breaking ton in Perth last year during his farewell series, summed up Kohli's emotions brilliantly.

ALSO READ: Full List Of Top Players Who Went Unsold On Day 1 Of IPL 2025 Mega Auction

“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.”