Kohli ends Test ton drought with 186 as India dominate Australia, AHMEDABAD Virat Kohli hit his first Test century in farther than three times with a towering 186 as India maundered themselves out of pitfall of a series- levelling defeat to Australia in the fourth Test on Sunday.
The hosts finished their first innings on 571 to overhaul Australia’s 480 and get a first innings lead of 91 on another run filled day four at the world’s biggest justice stadium in Ahmedabad. Kohli was the last man out after he fell to Todd Murphy in the final session of play as India lost their ninth gate and Shreya’s Iyer did not club due to rear pain.
Australia reached three for no loss at sums with Travis Head getting the runs while alongside night watchman Matthew Kuhnemann. The left- handed Kuhnemann made a surprise entry to the crease after nature Usman Khawaja, who hit 180 in Australia’s innings, did not come out to club after getting hurt on the field.
Kohli ruled the day with his 28th Test ton after he got a single off incitement Nathan Lyon in the alternate session to bring the house down as suckers went wild with festivity. Kohli, who now has 75 international tons across three international formats, kissed his charm before looking up to the sky.
Continuing on 59 after reaching his first Test half- century on Saturday since January 2022, the corner came after a patient innings of 241 balls. Kohli also hit a flurry of fours after reaching his hundred and on with an attacking Axar Patel, who made 79, put on a marathon stage of 162 for the sixth gate.
Khawaja tried to catch an Axar six at the boundary but could not stay inside the rope, hurting his bottom in the process and limping off the field. Kohli got formerly 150 after tea and Axar raised his third half- century of the series to wear down the opposition bowlers on a pitch considerably different from the rank turners in the former three matches.
Baits Lyon and Murphy sailed110.5 overs between to get three structures each on another day of hard grind for the bowlers. Axar went into fifth gear after his fifty as he slogged and smashed Kuhnemann for two sixes in an over before being sailed off an inside edge by Mitchell Starc.
Kohli lost his late mate Ravindra Jadeja for 28 in the morning session and Srikar Bharat fell in the afterlife after the wicketkeeper- batsman megahit 44 in an 84- run cooperation with the former captain. Iyer did not come out to club after he went for reviews following complaints of lower rear pain after the end of day three.
Nature Shubman Gill led India’s strong reply on Saturday with his 128 before he fell to Lyon, who returned with figures of 3- 151 from 65 overs. India need a win to decide the series and be sure of a situation in the World Test Championship final in June.
