After a long wait of three years and four months, Virat Kohli has finally scored his 28th Test century in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, replicating the achievement of the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. This century marks the end of Kohli’s unusually long wait for a three-figure score, which had lasted for 1205 days since his last Test century on November 23, 2019. Last year, Kohli managed to break his century-less streak with a hundred each in T20Is and ODIs, and then added a 74th earlier this year against Sri Lanka in an ODI. Finally, on a bright and sunny Day 4 of the Ahmedabad Test, Kohli overcame his torrid run in Tests with a century that he will remember for a long time.
This is also Kohli’s first 50-plus score since January 2022 – where he scored 79 against South Africa in Cape Town. Kohli has replicated a special feat achieved by Sunil Gavaskar 40 years ago. Playing his 50th Test at home in 1983, Gavaskar scored a century while batting at No. 4. Kohli, in his 50th Test on home soil, celebrated it with a century. The only difference is that Gavaskar scored his 14th ton at home, while Kohli enjoyed his 13th. Kohli has also equalled Gavaskar’s record for the joint second-most tons by an Indian player against Australia, next only to Sachin Tendulkar, with his 8th Test century against the Aussies.
Kohli’s innings began positively, but he later went into a shell. It is worth noting that Kohli did not score a single boundary in the first two sessions, and then struck two in three balls. On the best batting pitch of the series, Kohli was under some pressure, but then grew in confidence. There were a couple of nervy moments on both Day 3 and 4 – he was squared up by a turning delivery from Matthew Kuhnemann and overcame a couple of LBW shouts with the impact clearly being outside off.
In conclusion, Virat Kohli’s long wait for a Test century has finally come to an end, and he has replicated a special feat achieved by Sunil Gavaskar 40 years ago. Kohli’s century is a testament to his determination, patience, and skill. Let’s hope that this century marks the beginning of a new chapter in Kohli’s Test career.
