Virat Kohli has provided predictably composed resistance in the second Test, classily conquering some quality bowling as India reached 3-172 and trimmed Australia’s lead to 154 runs at stumps on day two in Perth.
The four-Test series was almost billed as a battle between Australia and Kohli, such were the headlines and hype about the world’s best batsman with an outstanding record in this country.
Kohli scored three and 34 during India’s series-opening victory at Adelaide Oval, a reminder the world No.1 Test side boasted plenty of other threats.
But at Optus Stadium on Saturday there was no underplaying the importance of one individual, whose ongoing attritional battle with arguably the world’s best attack has the potential to decide the contest.
Kohli finished 82 not out, steadying superbly after Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood rattled stumps, removed openers and reduced India to 2-8.
The superstar, metaphorically and literally on the front foot given he was batting well outside his crease despite the pace and threat posed by Starc and Hazlewood in their opening spells, required just nine balls to stroke four well-timed boundaries and deliver the latest reminder of his immense talent.
The hosts won the next round. There wasn’t a single boundary in the next 21 overs and the captain’s strike-rate dipped.
Australia’s quicks beat his bat semi-regularly, a couple of edges fell short of fielders, while Kohli boldly shouldered arms to a Nathan Lyon offspinner that turned sharply and almost kissed the top of off stump.
Kolhi twice required treatment in Saturday’s final session, after a blow to the elbow then a scrape resulting from a dive necessitated by a mix-up between the wickets with Ajinkya Rahane.
The right-hander shooed physio Patrick Farhart away with disdain both times then reasserted his dominance by putting away a couple of the few loose balls provided on Saturday.
Kohli and Rahane’s stand is already worth 90 runs and has the potential to become match-winning on Sunday, when the second new ball is available in 11 overs.
“This is the partnership they just need to break,” Ricky Ponting said on Seven.
Rahane, unbeaten on 51 after copping a painful blow to the right thumb inflicted by Hazlewood, and Cheteshwar Pujara, who fell in uncharacteristically tame fashion on 24 when caught behind down the leg side, helped Kohli nudge India closer to first-innings parity.
“It’s just about being patient,” Aaron Finch told Fox, praising Australia’s bowlers.
Earlier, Australia lost 4-16 to finish all out for 326 in their first innings.