Virat Kohli 100, Yashasvi Jaiswal 161 deflate Australia as India smell victory

Virat Kohli marked a return to form with a morale-boosting century, following Yashasvi Jaiswal’s masterful hundred, as India declared their second innings at 487 for six, setting Australia a daunting target of 534 runs to chase on Day 3 of the opening Test on Sunday. Once Kohli reached an unprecedented seventh Test century in Australia, Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah declared at 487 for 6 with five overs remaining to push for a result.
Captain Bumrah then took two quick wickets to leave the hosts reeling at 12 for 3 at the end of play on the third day at Optus Stadium. The Aussie response was faltering from the get-go. Marnus Labuschagne (3) was dismissed off the final ball of the day, with Usman Khawaja left stranded at the non-striker’s end. Despite the early setbacks, Australia still trails by a hefty 522 runs, and the pressure is mounting. Bumrah removed Nathan McSweeney (0) and Labuschagne in a clinical display, while Mohammed Siraj accounted for nightwatchman Pat Cummins (2), sealing a day of dominance for the visitors. The match would be memorable for several reasons, one of which was the brilliant display of batting from India’s ‘King’ and ‘Prince,’ albeit in contrasting conditions and situations.
Kohli, the master of the big stage, reminded everyone why he’s one of cricket’s modern greats with a blistering century that had Perth buzzing. After a frustrating lean patch, the Indian batting sensation blazed to his 30th Test century, marking his first in Australia since 2018 – and what a century it was!
With his seventh Test hundred in Australia, Kohli surpassed none other than the legendary Sachin Tendulkar to become the Indian batter with the most centuries on Australian soil. Only England’s Jack Hobbs (9) stands ahead of him in the overall list, with Wally Hammond matching the former India captain’s tally.
It was a slow and steady start for Kohli, who walked in after Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul had already provided the foundation for India’s colossal total. But once he settled, the Kohli of old emerged, taking the Aussie bowlers to task with a series of trademark shots, including eight boundaries and two sixes. His unbeaten 100 off 143 balls was the highlight of an already dominant day for India, as they set Australia an almost impossible 534-run chase.
What a way to end a drought! Kohli had arrived in Australia off the back of a series of low scores, including a paltry 192 runs from 10 innings in India’s home season. But he silenced all critics in style, reaching his century in a flurry. India declared as soon as he raised his bat to the landmark, and from 70 to 100*, Kohli went into overdrive – smashing a six and four boundaries in a mere 20 balls.
AUS vs IND Day 3: Highlights
The century came in Kohli’s signature fashion: a sweep off Marnus Labuschagne’s leg break, finding the fine leg boundary with precision. And what a moment it was. Kohli didn’t even realize the ball had crossed the line at first, looking back to ask the umpire if it was a boundary. Once confirmed, the celebration was pure Kohli magic: a helmet off, a smile to the heavens, and a massive fist pump as he soaked in the applause.
And what’s a King Kohli moment without some drama off the field? As he walked back to the dressing room, his eyes found wife Anushka Sharma in the stands, and he blew her a few kisses, basking in the adoration of the Perth crowd. With his bat held high and his helmet in the other hand, Kohli was a picture of relief and triumph, looking skyward and offering a blow of a kiss to the heavens. It had taken him 16 innings to end his century drought in Test cricket, but this one – this one was special. It was a century built on character, resilience, and the unwavering belief of a champion who just isn’t done yet. And as the camera panned to a slightly teary-eyed Anushka, it was clear: Virat Kohli
Jaiswal’s 161 was a career-defining moment, and his contribution was reminiscent of a milestone set 32 years ago by a young Sachin Tendulkar, who made his own global mark at the WACA ground. Jaiswal, at 22, has now become the second-youngest Indian batter after Tendulkar to score a century at Perth. His 15 fours and three sixes, combined with his calm and assured batting, demonstrated his promise as a long-term prospect for Indian cricket.
One of the highlights of Jaiswal’s innings was his ramp shot off a bouncer from Josh Hazlewood, which helped him reach his fourth Test century and his first in a SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) country. The celebration was a proud moment for the young batter, acknowledging his hard work and the significance of his achievement.
Jaiswal’s innings of 161 off 297 balls, a perfectly crafted 161, was not just another century. It was his fourth Test ton, and this one had added flair, finishing with 15 boundaries and three sixes. It was also a reminder of his arrival on the big stage, echoing the feats of cricket legends. Nearly 32 years ago, a 17-year-old Sachin Tendulkar stunned the world with a century at the WACA, and today, Jaiswal—just 22—showed the cricketing world that he’s here for the long haul.
The moment of magic came when Jaiswal ramped a bouncer from Josh Hazlewood for a boundary to bring up his first Test ton in a SENA country, making him the second-youngest Indian after Tendulkar to achieve this at Perth. His celebration was pure joy and gratitude, raising his hands to the sky before flexing his lean but powerful biceps, sending a message that he’s arrived to stay.
His knock not only brought him personal glory but also helped rewrite history as the Jaiswal-Rahul duo surpassed Sunil Gavaskar and Krishnamachari Srikkanth’s long-standing 1986 record for the highest opening partnership in Australia. With India in a commanding position and Jaiswal proving his worth as the future of Indian cricket, it’s clear—this young gun is all set to carry the mantle for the next generation of Indian batters.