Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has expressed serious concerns for Australia following Virat Kohli’s stunning century in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Perth’s Optus Stadium. Clarke, during a recent podcast, predicted that Kohli will be India’s leading run-scorer in the series, highlighting the psychological impact of the Indian captain’s return to form.
“Kohli’s Hundred Sends a Strong Warning”
“Losing a Test match is one thing, but Virat Kohli scoring a hundred in the first game scares me a lot,” Clarke remarked. After a challenging period marked by inconsistent performances and criticism, Kohli silenced his doubters with a masterclass against Australia’s formidable bowling attack.
Kohli’s ton was particularly significant given his struggles in prior series, including a lackluster performance against New Zealand, where he managed just 93 runs. However, the 36-year-old’s commanding knock in Perth demonstrated that he is once again at the peak of his powers. With seven centuries already to his name in Australia, Kohli’s resurgence has put the hosts on high alert.
Kohli on the Brink of History
As the series moves to Adelaide for the second Test, Kohli is on the cusp of achieving a historic milestone. A century in Adelaide would make him the first batter to score 10 centuries in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, with whom Kohli currently shares the record at nine centuries each.
Adelaide’s Day/Night Challenge for India
The upcoming pink-ball Test in Adelaide carries added pressure for the Indian side, who will be eager to overcome memories of their disastrous outing in the same fixture during the 2020-21 tour. In that match, India were bowled out for a mere 36 in the second innings, leading to a heavy defeat. Despite the setback, India bounced back to secure a remarkable 2-1 series victory.
With Kohli in sublime form and records in sight, India will look to build on their positive start in the series, while Australia will aim to counter the threat posed by one of the world’s finest batters.
