IND vs AUS: Kohli Ends Century Draught as India Narrow Gap
Patel and Kohli in action on Day 4 (Twitter/BCCI)
Virat Kohli reached 135* on Day 4 afternoon to end his three-year century draught in Tests. Srikar Bharat became India’s only casualty in the session, as veteran Kohli was joined by in-form all-rounder Axar Patel just moments after the lunch break.
The two cricketers added another 79 runs to the team’s total, as each of the top six Indian partnerships have accounted for at least 50 runs in the innings so far.
After a dry opening session of Day 4, which saw the hosts score just 73 runs off 32 overs, Kohli, Bharat and Patel all stepped up a gear to score 110 runs in the afternoon to take India to 472-5, i.e., within eight runs of Australia’s first innings effort.
For Australia, Nathan Lyon toiled away the most as the visiting spinner has now bowled 58 overs in the Indian innings so far. The cricketer also accounted for the only wicket that fell in the session, by dismissing a well-set Bharat at 44.
Kohli celebrates his much-awaited ton
Talking Points
Virat Kohli eventually ended his Test century draught, and took his international tally to 75 hundreds.
Patel, at the other end, continues his fine tune with the bat as the left-hander is still unbeaten at the crease on 38.
Expectations
Team India will be looking to mount their first innings lead and make Australia bat again just before close of play. Captain Rohit Sharma will be hoping early wickets from his bowlers, which can set up a platform to shoot out the Australians cheaply on Day 5.
Brief Scores:
India: 472-5 (158)
Shubman Gill 128 (235), Virat Kohli 135* (291);
Todd Murphy 2-86, Nathan Lyon 2-124
India trail by eight runs
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