Team India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah praised ace batter Virat Kohli for his stunning second innings century in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test against Australia in Perth. Kohli entered the series under huge pressure after a poor home Test series against New Zealand, averaging under 16 in three games. However, after scoring only five in the first innings, Kohli responded to his critics well with an unbeaten 143-ball 100 as well.

Speaking at the post-match press conference on Kohli, Bumrah said: “I have said this before that Virat Kohli doesn’t need us, it is we who need Virat Kohli. He is an experienced player, his 4th or 5th tour, so he knows best what his batting and calibre is like. Sometimes when you have a career this long and you play in so many tough scenarios that he has played in, performing in every match becomes a bit difficult. But he was always looking in great space in this match.”

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Jasprit Bumrah also feels Virat Kohli starting the Australia series on a positive note helps well for himself and India for the rest of the tour. It was also Kohli’s 81st international century and No.30 in the Test format as well.

“Obviously he got a great delivery in the first innings, but he was still in great space and he capitalised in the second innings. The second innings we needed an experienced batter who plays good himself and also allows the other batter to play freely. If at the start of the series a player like him gets some confidence, you cannot ask for anything more,” said Jasprit Bumrah.