Sachin Tendulkar congratulates Kohli after India captain equalises his Test ton record Down Under

Indian captain Virat Kohli led his side’s batting from the front in the second Test at Perth and produced his 25th hundred in the longer format on Sunday. He came in when India were reeling at 8 for 2 and then put up three consecutive half-century partnerships with Cheteshwar Pujara (24), Ajinkya Rahane (51) and Hanuma Vihari (20) to take his side closer to the Australian score of 326 in the first innings.

Kohli came up with a unique celebration after completing his hundred with a four which was different from the outbursts we commonly see. He eventually fell for 123 to Pat Cummins in the 93rd over with India trailing by 75 runs more. The right-hander’s latest hundred is his sixth on Australian soil in the longer format and it puts him one ahead of the legendary Sunil Gavaskar who scored five.

The Indian batsman also equalises another former legend Sachin Tendulkar who has six tons Down Under from five tours between 1991 and 2012. It’s a matter of time before Kohli goes past the latter but the former India captain did not forget to greet his successor on his latest century. In a tweet, the 45-year-old said it was one of Kohli’s finest innings and will be “remembered for a long time”.

Well played @imVkohli. One of your finest innings. This knock will be remembered for a long time. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/Gj1dSN4k4p

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 16, 2018

India fight on to reduce the gap with Australia

India though were fighting hard to reduce the gap with Australia in the first innings but were bowled for 283 runs and conceded a lead of 43 runs. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant fell for 36 after batting with the tail-enders for some time to minimise the advantage to the local team.

India resumed on Day 3 from their overnight score of 172 for 3 with Kohli (82 not out) and Ajinkya Rahane (51 not out) taking stances. But Rahane fell without adding anything to his overnight score and India lost their next five wickets for 82 runs, conceding Australia, who are trailing 0-1 in the four-match series, the advantage. Spinner Nathan Lyon took a five-wicket haul for the home team.

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