Virat Kohli Hits Landmark 30th Test Century in Perth: A Masterclass at Optus Stadium

Virat Kohli:On Sunday evening, Virat Kohli once again proved why he’s regarded as one of cricket’s greatest. Batting in challenging conditions at Optus Stadium in Perth, Kohli dug deep, acclimatizing himself to the pitch before unleashing a flurry of strokes that culminated in his 30th Test century, a monumental milestone in his illustrious career.

Kohli’s hundred, which came off 143 balls, marked his 81st international century and gave India a commanding position in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This knock followed an outstanding 161 by opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had shared a mammoth 201-run opening stand with KL Rahul (77).

A Century Under Pressure

The road to Kohli’s century wasn’t easy. After being dismissed for a disappointing 5 in the first innings, there were questions about his form, especially with the weight of expectations on his shoulders. Yet, Kohli showed his mental strength and responded to the challenge in typical Kohli fashion.

His innings began with a textbook straight drive off Pat Cummins, signaling that the batting maestro was back in his element. The ball raced to the boundary, and Kohli’s rhythm was set. Throughout his knock, he showcased his trademark cover drive and selective aggression, carefully picking off boundaries even when the Australian bowlers tested him.

Kohli’s historic hundred came in the 135th over of India’s second innings, and it was a fitting display of his batting mastery. His sweep shot, which took him to the landmark, was greeted by a brief moment of suspense as the umpires checked whether the boundary rider had managed to save it. After confirming it was indeed a four, Kohli raised his arms in triumph. The roar from the crowd at the Optus Stadium spoke volumes about the significance of the moment.

Speeding Towards Victory

Once Kohli had reached his century, he did not rest on his laurels. With a signal from the dressing room, he accelerated his scoring rate, playing aggressively and helping India declare at 487 for 6, setting Australia an imposing target of 534 to win the match. Kohli’s 81st international century was characterized by 8 fours and 2 sixes, showcasing his all-around attacking prowess.

Alongside Kohli, debutant Nitish Reddy, who remained unbeaten on 38, played a crucial role in pushing the score further. The declaration came immediately after Kohli’s milestone, leaving the Australians with a mountain to climb on Day 3.

Kohli’s Place in History

This century is significant not only for the match but for its place in history. Kohli’s 30th Test hundred puts him in rare company, surpassing legends like Sachin Tendulkar, who has six Test centuries in Australia. Kohli now sits jointly in second place with Wally Hammond for the most hundreds by a visiting batter in Australia, with seven centuries. The only player ahead of him is Jack Hobbs, with nine centuries.

Moreover, this was Kohli’s second Test century in Perth, a venue known for testing even the best of batters. His tally of 10 centuries in Australia across formats remains the highest by any visiting player, underlining his dominance on Australian soil.

Virat Kohli’s Career Centuries and Achievements

Virat Kohli’s international cricket career is studded with remarkable achievements. As of now, he has:

Most Centuries in ODIs for India: Kohli holds the record for the most centuries by an Indian cricketer in One-Day Internationals, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who has 49 ODI centuries.
Fastest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000 & 12,000 Runs in ODIs: Kohli holds the record for being the fastest to achieve these milestones in One-Day Internationals, breaking records previously held by legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.
First to Score 100 in All Formats in a Single Year: In 2017, Kohli became the first cricketer to score international centuries in all three formats (Test, ODI, T20I) in the same calendar year.
Record in Australia: As of now, Kohli has scored 10 international centuries on Australian soil across formats, more than any other visiting player. This includes seven Test centuries, which places him in the joint-second spot for most Test centuries by a non-Australian batter in Australia.
ICC Awards: Kohli has been awarded the prestigious ICC ODI Player of the Year multiple times (2017, 2018, and 2021) and has been named the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year in 2017.
Captains India to Glory: Under his leadership, India achieved their highest-ever Test ranking and also clinched a historic series win in Australia in 2021, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest captains in Indian cricket.

Personal Triumph and Family Support

Despite the pressure that came with his relatively dry run in recent years, Kohli remained unflappable. In a heartfelt moment during an interview, he acknowledged the unwavering support of his wife, Anushka Sharma, who stood by him through every challenging phase of his career. “Anushka has been right by my side through thick and thin,” Kohli shared, adding, “She knows everything that goes on behind the scenes when you’re not performing well. I take pride in performing for the country.”

Latest Posts

A New Milestone for Kohli’s Career

This century also signifies Kohli’s growth as a player. It came at a crucial juncture in his career when many had begun to doubt whether he could regain his former glory. But, as is his nature, Kohli answered those critics in style, showing that when it comes to targeting personal milestones and national goals, he’s still among the best in the business.

Virat Kohli’s 30th Test century is not just another number. It’s a testament to his resilience, his unrelenting pursuit of excellence, and his ability to deliver when it matters most. As India takes charge of the first Test against Australia, it’s clear that Kohli’s journey is far from over—he’s just getting started, continuing to hit targets both on and off the field.