Former India head coach Rahul Dravid lavished praise on Virat Kohli after the star batter struck a sensational century in the second innings of the first Test against Australia at Perth’s Optus Stadium. Kohli’s unbeaten 100* off 143 balls not only ended his 500-day Test century drought but also silenced critics questioning his form in red-ball cricket.
Kohli’s innings, laced with eight boundaries and two sixes, was a masterclass in controlled aggression. His knock helped India accelerate their lead and set Australia an imposing target. Kohli’s fluent strokeplay after Tea on Day 3 allowed India to declare with a commanding total, giving the bowlers enough time to trouble the Australian batting lineup in challenging conditions.
India’s bowlers capitalized on the momentum created by Kohli’s century, claiming three crucial Australian wickets before Stumps on Day 3. By Day 4, the hosts were bowled out for 238, handing India an emphatic 295-run victory. Kohli’s performance earned widespread acclaim, with Rahul Dravid describing it as a potential turning point for the prolific batter in this series.
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“He’s been batting really well, even during our South Africa tour earlier this year. He looked solid on tough wickets but couldn’t convert starts into big scores. To get a hundred in the opening Test is fantastic and sets him up for a big series,” Rahul Dravid remarked during a post-match discussion on Star Sports.
This century marked Kohli’s 81st in international cricket, bringing him closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary record of 100 centuries. With 9,145 runs in 119 Tests at an average of 48.13, Kohli’s legacy in red-ball cricket continues to grow.
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His stellar Adelaide Oval record—973 runs in 11 innings at an average of 73.61—adds to the excitement ahead of the second Test, which starts on December 6 under the lights of the pink ball. India will aim to maintain their dominance, while Kohli, buoyed by his recent knock, will look to extend his remarkable run at Adelaide Oval as the rivalry intensifies in this high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
