PERTH, Australia, Nov 24, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Virat Kohli roared back to form 
with a vintage century against Australia on Sunday with India declaring their 
second innings when he achieved the feat in the first Test at Perth.

The visitors made the call at 487-6 in the final session of day three, with 
an ominous 533-run lead.

The 36-year-old star batsman Kohli came into the series under increasing 
scrutiny after managing only two Test tons in the last five years.

He averaged just 15 in their recent humiliating 3-0 home series loss to New 
Zealand, sparking questions over whether he should still be an automatic 
selection.

His cause was not helped when he fell for five in the first innings at Perth 
Stadium, but he responded defiantly on Sunday to leave Australia with a 
mountain to climb.

Coming in when Devdutt Padikkal was out for 25, he played himself in and rode 
his luck to bring up a half-century before unleashing with a flurry of 
boundaries.

Kohli completed his 30th Test century off 143 balls, with eight fours and two 
sixes.

It was his first ton since July last year when he achieved the feat against 
the West Indies in Port of Spain.