Virat Kohli, one of the most prolific Indian batters in Test cricket, has a remarkable record in Australia with over 1,300 runs and six centuries in 13 matches. However, when asked to name his most cherished innings Down Under, Kohli surprisingly picked a knock from a game India lost.
Kohli singled out his gritty 123 at Perth during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy as his finest performance in Australian conditions. This innings, played on a challenging pitch, ranks alongside the historic centuries by Indian greats Sunil Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath, and Sachin Tendulkar at Perth’s iconic venues, the WACA and Optus Stadium.
A Century Amidst Testing Conditions
Perth is renowned as one of the world’s fastest and most bouncy pitches, a graveyard for many batters over the years. Kohli’s remarkable innings in such conditions speaks volumes about his skill and adaptability. While his twin centuries at Adelaide in 2014 and his maiden Test century at the same venue in 2012 are legendary, the 2018 knock at Perth stands out for Kohli due to the immense difficulty of the pitch.
“My best knock in Australia will definitely be my 100 at Perth during the 2018-19 series. I thought that was the toughest pitch I’ve ever batted on in Test cricket. It was great to get a hundred on that tour,” Kohli said in response to a question by Mohammed Siraj during a BCCI interview titled “Ask the Next One.”
A Knock to Remember Despite the Outcome
India lost the Perth Test by 146 runs, but Kohli’s valiant effort remains a highlight. The setback, however, was short-lived as India bounced back to win the Melbourne Test and ultimately secured a historic series victory, their first-ever Test series win in Australia.
Interestingly, aside from his exceptional knock in Perth, Kohli had a relatively subdued series by his lofty standards. Yet, he wouldn’t trade the collective triumph for individual accolades. “It was a tough game, but winning the series in Australia meant everything,” Kohli added.
Kohli Among Perth’s Elite
Kohli joins an elite list of Indian batters to have scored centuries in Perth, cementing his legacy as one of the best in challenging conditions. This innings, played under immense pressure, exemplifies why Kohli remains one of the most revered cricketers in the world.
