Was Virat Kohli’s ‘bat does the talking’ gesture after Perth ton aimed at Pat Cummins?

Indian captain Virat Kohli has had occasions on his previous tours of Australia when he got involved in ugly confrontations – sometimes with players and at times, even with the supporters of the opponent side. However, on Sunday, the ace batsman, who had said ahead of the Test series that India believed in ‘no first strike’ stand, came up with a unique celebration after hitting his century at Perth Stadium.

Punching one from pacer Mitchell Starc to the boundary, Kohli did not exalt but made a gesture conveying that it is his bat that does all the talking. He led the Indian batting order from the front after early losses and scored 123 off 257 balls that included 13 fours and one six. In the process, also put up three consecutive half-century partnerships after the early slide and was unbeaten on 82 on Day 2.

The third day saw the visitors losing Rahane early but Kohli went on to complete his 25th Test hundred which also made him equalise the number of Test tons (six) the great Sachin Tendulkar has Down Under. And it all culminated into his unique statement after reaching 100 from 96 in the 81st over.

Kohli won’t get a hundred in series, predicted Pat

Ahead of the start of the current series, Australian pacer Pat Cummins remarked during an interview with sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney that his “brave, bold prediction” was that Kohli was not going to get any hundred in the series. When it came to facing Cummins, Kohli had his share of struggle (he fell to Cummins for three on Day 1 in Adelaide) but he survived and returned it back when delivered the bad deliveries.

The Indian batsman’s gesture saying his bat does all the talking was perhaps the best possible way to respond to Cummins’ prediction. Kohli eventually fell to the same bowler in though the low catch that Peter Handscomb took in the slips which was always a case of debate. His 123 played a key role in pulling India out of dire straits but it is yet a mountain to climb for the visitors in the Test as they were bowled out for 283 in reply to Australia’s 326.

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