Virat Kohli’s Melbourne magic: A Boxing Day hundred to remember

Poulomi Chakraborty

Virat Kohli's 169 in Melbourne (Source: @ICC/x.com)Virat Kohli's 169 in Melbourne (Source: @ICC/x.com)

Virat Kohli and Australia have always been a love story that is fans’ favorite. While his dominance on Indian soil is legendary, every stadium in Australia whispers a courageous King Kohli story.

The ongoing ODI series is not seeing the prime Virat Kohli dominating the Australian soil, but there are some stories which have been a forever example of pure ‘Kohli Mania’. But in 2014, when Virat Kohli was a blooming talent, he set the iconic Melbourne on fire.

In the third Test of the series, Kohli’s 169 has been a classic knock against the mighty Aussies. Let’s revisit that unforgettable day of cricketing brilliance.

King Kohli rules Australia with an unforgettable 169

In the cricket world, Virat Kohli is not just a name of a fierce batter; with time, he has made himself into an institution of limitless cricket learning. Like a thousand other youngsters in the Indian subcontinent, Virat Kohli became the global face of cricket with sheer determination, grit, and hard work. While opponents trembled at his brilliance, Australia truly felt the full force of King Kohli’s mastery.

Kohli’s love for Adelaide is known to the world, but the Melbourne Cricket Ground holds a special place in Virat Kohli's heart. In 2014, the young Virat Kohli tore through Australia’s lethal bowling and registered one of his best knocks in Aussie soil. In the third Test of the four-match Test series, mighty Australia met India at the iconic MCG, and the rest is history.

While batting first, Australia put on a massive total of 530-run total, and Team India was already under pressure. After Shikhar Dhawan walked away at 28, Ryan Harris sent Cheteshwar Pujara in 25 runs, and the Men in Blue fell into a deep slump. After Murali Vijay walked away on 68, it was Kohli’s time to take over.

After Rahane joined Kohli, the duo drove India to dominate the Aussie bowlers. Tightening his grip, Kohli went berserk over Aussie bowlers. Completing a half-century, the Australian bowlers tried every way to get rid of Kohli’s brilliance, but it was King’s day, and the whole world was in awe of his remarkable batting that day.

Stitching 262 runs with Ajinkya Rahane, Team India’s total got a massive boost. Dominating over the Aussies, Kohli smashed another Test hundred on Australian soil. In the 127th over, Mitchell Johnson finally hit the jackpot as he dismissed Kohli in an outstanding delivery. With a spectacular knock of 169 runs in 272 balls with 18 boundaries.

In 2014, 26-year-old Virat Kohli wrote the script of his dominance on Australian soil. Amidst India’s struggles in the series, Kohli’s brilliant knock in the Melbourne Test stood out as a defining moment. With a masterful century, the King reminded Australia of his extraordinary talent, proving beyond doubt his mettle on foreign pitches.