Taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India defeated Australia by 295-run at Optus Stadium. Thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal’s outstanding 161 and Virat Kohli’s unbroken 100, India responded sharply after being knocked out for 150 and declared their second innings at 487 for 6. Australia battled in response, falling to 238 all out, and Jasprit Bumrah led the assault with 3 for 42, claiming Player of the Match honours. India’s biggest run victory in Australia was this one.

Sunil Gavaskar made a huge statement about Virat Kohli

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels a subtle adjustment to his batting stance in the second innings of the Perth Test helped Virat Kohli neutralise the Australian attack and rediscover his vintage form.

Kohli arrived in Australia after a lean run of form across formats in recent months. His struggles against spin on turning tracks raised doubts about his spot in the team.

However, he silenced his detractors by scoring his 30th Test ton in the first Test at Perth. It was his first hundred after the 121 against the West Indies at Port of Spain in July 2023.

 Having gotten out on 5 in the first innings, Kohli brought all his technical expertise into play while dealing with the vagaries of variable bounce in the second essay as Australian bowlers desperately tried the off-stump line, short ball tactic and even attacking the line of stump to get the veteran batter out.

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden also commented on Kohli’s stance adjustments in the second innings, saying the move to be more upright on a pitch where variable bounce was present worked for Kohli.

Gavaskar compared Kohli’s recent struggles to the time when tennis legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic went without a title.

(PTI)