Kohli at centre of controversy
Stoic skipper Virat Kohli’s outstanding century ended in contentious fashion as India were bowled out for 283 on day three of the second test in Perth.
Kohli, who marched to the crease with India in deep trouble at 8-2 on Saturday, outclassed Australia’s star-studded attack in a knock of 123, although the hosts still grabbed a first-innings lead of 43.
But the gifted right-hander was out edging to Pat Cummins in the penultimate over of the session, with the dismissal upheld after third umpire Nigel Llong agonised over every angle of Peter Handscomb’s slips catch to see whether it had carried.
Llong eventually decided there wasn’t conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field call and reprieve Kohli, who clearly thought otherwise as he trudged off Optus Stadium.
The morning session ended with Mohammed Shami out edging a Nathan Lyon delivery for a golden duck.
The hosts struck in yesterday’s opening over, when Lyon had Ajinkya Rahane caught behind on 51, then Mitchell Starc struck Kohli’s left elbow during the following over.
Kohli didn’t flinch. The superstar was unperturbed by either setback, with an ice pack in the drinks break the only treatment he received during the session.
Kohli brought up the 25th ton of his test career – and recordequalling sixth in Australia – with a sweetly timed straight drive off Starc’s second delivery with the second new ball.
A low-key celebration, in which Kohli seemingly made the point that his bat had done all the talking, was a clear statement of intent that the world’s best batsman was hungry for more runs.
The fact it was Kohli’s secondslowest test century, coming from 214 balls, was an indicator of his composure during some challenging spells on day two.
Kohli’s milestone drew him level with Sachin Tendulkar for most test centuries in Australia by an Indian.