After scoring gritty 74 runs against Australia on day one of the Adelaide pink-ball Test, Virat Kohli has become the highest Test runs scorer against Australia as an Indian captain. Earlier, this record was held by MAK Pataudi, who captained India in 40 Test matches.
Virat Kohli has now scored 851 runs while Pataudi scored 829 runs in 10 Tests captained against Australia, a mark that stood for 51 years. The current Indian captain has scored four hundreds and two fifties against Australia, doing so at an impressive average of 50.05.
Virat Kohli’s bizarre run out involving Ajinkya Rahane:
After the fall of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane was making amends and were setting solid partnership. But just a few over before Australia was ready to take the new ball, the host was gifted the wicket of Virat Kohli after a horrible mix-up between the Indian captain and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane saw the former short of his crease.
Off Nathan Lyons’ ball, Rahane sent delivery to the left of mid-off and starts to run. Kohli sees him and responds immediately. But Rahane then bails out, leaving his captain stranded in the middle of the pitch. After Kohli’s wicket, Rahane also gave away his wicket and Hanuma Vihari followed after a few overs.
Watch all the Indian wickets to fall on day one of the Vodafone Test Series including Virat Kohli's crucial run out on 74 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/UhKTRxMS3D
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2020
Virat Kohli scored 74 runs off 180 balls and was only hit eight fours in his innings and was extremely watchful against both pace and spin. But the captain could not get the century, which he has not registered this year.
Earlier, the Indian opener Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal were sent back within 19 overs. Shaw fell because of his poor technique as Mitchell Starc trapped him. Agarwal was looking in good touch with the bat but Pat Cummins beat him with the pace.
Cheteshwar Pujara faced 160 balls but could not complete his half-century as Nathan Lyon got better off him. The spinner dismissed him 10th times in this format.
Meanwhile, the day ended with India at 233 runs for a loss of six wickets. Wriddhiman Saha and Ravichandran Ashwin will continue India’s batting on day two on Saturday.