AUS vs IND: Virat Kohli set to equal Sir Don Bradman's record of most centuries away from home in Adelaide Test

Breaking of cricket records and Virat Kohli have remained quite synonymous with each other for a major part of his international cricket career. Especially when it comes to his batting records on Australian shores, he has been a notch above the rest of the players. So much so that he now is on the verge of breaking a long-standing record of none other than the greatest player to have ever graced the game of cricket, Sir Donald Bradman.

It is no surprise for cricket fans to witness and often read about Bradman holding most of the iconic records in cricket history. One such record is for the most international centuries scored away from home. Notably, between the years 1930 and 1948, the ‘Don’ of cricket seemingly scored centuries for fun in England. During his 19 appearances on the English soil, the legendary Australian went on to rack up 11 centuries.

Quite fascinating as it may sound, on the other hand, one of the modern greats Virat Kohli, is on the verge of equalling Sir Don’s record, albeit, in his backyard aka Adelaide. Currently, Kohli has 10 centuries to his name in the Kangaroo nation and if he is able to replicate his Perth batting heroics, he will be tied with Bradman for scoring most centuries on a foreign land in international cricket.

For the unversed, Australia are all set to host India in the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) after getting humiliated in Perth. However, for a change, the game will be played with the pink ball instead of the usual 'red cherry' in the home city of Bradman. The match will begin on December 6, in Adelaide. 

Speaking of Virat Kohli’s credentials in Australia, so far the star Indian batter has accumulated 2,710 runs from 43 appearances for Team India. During these games, the Delhi-based batter maintained an impressive average of 54.20 and smacked a memorable 169 runs at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for his best score in the oz land. Notably, this knock came in December of 2014.

Apart from the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) and modern-day great, some notable cricketers too have some sensational records in terms of scoring hundreds away from home. Legendary players such as India’s pride Sachin Tendulkar aka the Master Blaster along with the West Indian great, Sir Vivian Richards, too are enlisted in this elite list of batters. Besides, Jack Hobbs of England and the legendary Sunil Gavaskar have also enjoyed batting for a long time against foreign opponents in their den.

Also Read: Virat Kohli just 102 runs away from breaking Brian Lara's Adelaide record!

While Sachin Tendulkar has nine centuries to his name against Sri Lanka, Hobbs too had as many centuries but in Australia. Apart from them, Richards made eight centuries against England after featuring in 39 matches for West Indies. While following him closer was Sunil Gavaskar who enjoyed tormenting the West Indies bowlers with seven centuries to his name in the Caribbean islands.

Kohli ends his lean patch with scintillating century in Perth

Speaking of Virat Kohli on the current Australia tour, the batter found his batting mojo after failing to score big at home against New Zealand in recent times. However, his love affair with scoring hundreds in Australia continued as he scored a vital unbeaten 100* off 143 deliveries in Perth.

This eventually piloted India to register a dominating 295-run victory to lead the BGT 2024-25 series by a margin of 1-0, with a chance to feature in another World Test Championship (WTC) final still intact. But it stiff remains stiff for both teams. However, there will be three more Tests after Adelaide, which provides ample opportunity for Virat Kohli to script history in Australia.