Virat hits sublime 25th century, Aussies stay ahead
PERTH: Virat Kohli has proved time and again he can be pretty vocal but on Sunday the India captain let his bat do the talking with a sublime century on day three of the second Test against Australia. The Indian run-machine hit his 25th Test century, injecting fresh life into India’s reply to Australia’s first-innings total of 326.
While frontline batsmen from both sides struggled on Perth’s new stadium track, the feisty Indian joined compatriot Sachin Tendulkar as the only visiting batsmen to have scored six Test hundreds in Australia in the last seven decades. And when it came to celebrating the hundred, actions spoke louder than words as Kohli placed his helmet on the ground, pointed to his bat and made a yapping gesture with his gloved hand. But India’s tail did not wag as Australia took a 43-run lead and then battled a deteriorating pitch in their bid to build on it. At stumps, Australia were 132/4, with Usman Khawaja on 41 and Tim Paine on eight, an overall lead of 175.
Opener Aaron Finch was taken to hospital for scans after retiring hurt with an injured right hand on 25. The cracks in the pitch were starting to become a significant factor, with Finch’s opening partner, Marcus Harris, also struck flush on the helmet by a rising delivery. The Australians played and missed time and again as they battled to extend their lead, with Jasprit Bumrah (1-25) almost unplayable at times and well supported by India’s three other pacemen.
Shaun Marsh (5) and Peter Handscomb (13) again fell cheaply, doing little to ease the pressure on their pair to retain their spots in the side. Marsh played a poor shot to a short ball from Mohammed Shami (2-23) and was caught behind, while Handscomb’s shaky defence was highlighted when he was trapped lbw by Ishant Sharma (1-33).
The struggles of the Australian batsmen were a far cry from the command of Kohli as he anchored his team’s first innings. Kohli reached his century with a classic straight drive off Mitchell Starc, having been at the crease for 310 minutes and faced 214 balls. Two overs later he produced the shot of the match when he lifted Josh Hazlewood over third man for six.
The Indian captain’s innings came to a controversial end when he was caught at second slip by a diving Handscomb from the bowling of Pat Cummins. Kohli was given out by the on-field umpires but believed it had not carried. However the decision stood after it was reviewed by third umpire Nigel Llong.
The Indians lost their last five wickets for just 35 runs.
Spinner Nathan Lyon was the best of the Australian bowlers, taking 5-67, while Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood both grabbed two wickets each.
India’s day got off to a disappointing start with Ajinkya Rahane fell in the first over of the day to Lyon for 51, ending a 91-run stand with Kohli. Kohli scored his 25th ton but the tail perished quickly. India are still alive as Australia lost their way after a good start