Virat Kohli made a commanding statement for India on Day 3 of the 1st Test against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth, displaying his trademark class and a rare upper cut during India’s second innings.
Virat Kohli’s stunning six takes an unfortunate turn
The highlight of Kohli’s knock came during the 111th over when Mitchell Starc delivered a short and wide ball outside the off stump. Kohli, with impeccable timing, unleashed a flashing upper cut that sent the ball sailing over the slip cordon for a six. However, the breathtaking shot resulted in an unintended and painful incident. The ball landed just beyond the boundary rope, bounced, and struck a security guard on the side of his head.
The guard, who was monitoring the crowd, was caught off guard by the unexpected blow. The match paused momentarily as the Australian physio rushed to conduct a concussion test on the guard, who thankfully seemed fine. Kohli, visibly concerned, checked on the guard, and even Australian spinner Nathan Lyon showed his concern by ensuring the guard received prompt attention.
Here’s the video:
📂 Virat Kohli’s Swashbuckling six .MP4
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India’s commanding performance on Day 3 against Australia
India dominated the day so far, thanks to a commanding 201-run opening partnership between KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rahul was eventually undone by Starc, but Jaiswal continued his stellar run, smashing a brilliant 150. Valuable contributions from Devdutt Padikkal and Kohli, who remained unbeaten alongside Washington Sundar, pushed India’s lead to an imposing 359 by lunch.
Australia showed resilience in the afternoon, striking back with pivotal wickets, including those of Rishabh Pant and talented Dhruv Jurel, reducing India to 359/5. Despite the setbacks, Kohli stood firm, anchoring the innings alongside Sundar. Their partnership not only added vital runs but also ensured India remained in a commanding position as the game progressed, leaving Australia grappling to regain control.
Also READ: AUS vs IND: Yashasvi Jaiswal shatters Brendon McCullum’s long-standing world record on Day 2 of Perth Test
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