Virat Kohli’s Masterclass: Unforgettable Knocks in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian Soil

Virat Kohli is undoubtedly a modern-day legend of red-ball cricket, a player whose fearless approach and unyielding determination have redefined the art of batting across all conditions. Known for his adaptability and unwavering resolve, Kohli has established himself as one of the finest Test batsmen of his generation. His career reached new heights when he took on the challenging Australian conditions with an unflinching confidence, smashing many iconic centuries on their soil, a feat few have managed to replicate. It was during these historic tours that Kohli's aggressive yet controlled batting style made him a true pioneer in India's rise as a global cricketing powerhouse. 

His performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), particularly in Australia, were instrumental in India's multiple series victories with him scoring 1352 runs at an average of 54.1, breaking decades-old barriers and establishing India as a dominant force in world cricket. Here's a look back at the defining moments of Virat Kohli’s legendary innings on Australian soil—moments that not only solidified his place among cricket's greats but also helped lead India to multiple triumphs in one of the most fiercely contested cricket rivalries.

116(213) -Rise of Young Kohli, Sydney,2012

A young lad faced ups and downs in his previous test series and entered this series with a poor record after a five-match test series in England. Having scored only 166 runs in the previous three tests and under tremendous pressure while facing formidable opponents like Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus, and Peter Siddle who had all gotten the better of him in past encounters Virat Kohli came to the crease when India was struggling at 111 for 5. He played a remarkable innings, scoring his first hundred in Australia and effectively putting an end to his bad phase in the longer format of the game. Kohli's knock of 116 caught the attention of the media, even though India ultimately lost the match and the series. From that point on, Kohli's rise to prominence was unstoppable and undeniable as he showcased his prime form in the games that followed.

147(230) - Captain's Knock, Adelaide Oval, 2014

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, then captain of the Indian cricket team, announced his retirement from Test cricket and relinquished his captaincy after Australia took a 2-0 lead in the four-match Test series. At that time, Team India was struggling, and everyone was eager to see who would step up next. Automatically, Virat Kohli was chosen as Dhoni's successor in the longer formats of the game.

With one Test remaining in Adelaide, Virat Kohli marked his debut as captain with a remarkable century, scoring 141 runs. His performance helped India draw the final Test of the series. From that moment, it became clear that Virat Kohli's reign as Test captain would be significant. The beginning of his captaincy was always special, and Virat made it even more memorable with his outstanding century.

123(257) - Perth Classic, 2018

It was the second Test of the 2018 Border Gavaskar Trophy, with India leading the series 1-0. This Test took place in Perth, where India was losing wickets at a rapid pace, struggling against the bowling of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. On the other hand, Virat Kohli had not scored a half-century in his last six innings and was not in great form, leading many to believe that taking his wicket would be relatively easy. However, to everyone's surprise, Kohli played a masterclass innings in Perth, scoring his 25th Test century and helping to pull India out of a difficult situation. Despite losing the match, Kohli's remarkable comeback performance where he scored a brilliant 123 became the talk of the town.

Twin Centuries at Adelaide, 2015

It was his first full four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series after becoming the captain of the Indian team. The first test took place in Adelaide, Australia, where India posted a mammoth total of 517/7. Virat Kohli's century in the first innings contributed significantly, helping India reach 444 runs. In response, Australia set India a target of 363 runs for the fourth innings, with four sessions left to play.

Once again, Virat Kohli played a captain's knock, scoring another century in this test. His performance was particularly special as it came in the second innings. Despite his valiant effort, India lost the match by 48 runs. Kohli's brilliant scores of 115 and 141 led India to a commendable fightback, almost securing a famous win. This remarkable achievement marked the beginning of the aggressive "Virat Kohli Era" and earned him a huge fanbase, despite the loss, due to his approach and determination.

Virat Kohli’s memorable centuries in Australia have cemented his place as one of the greatest Test batsmen of all time. His fearless batting has not only helped India dominate on foreign soil but also made the Border-Gavaskar Trophy a much-anticipated contest. With the upcoming BGT series fast approaching, the excitement is building once again. As always, Kohli’s presence in the team will be crucial, and fans are eager to see if he can add more legendary moments to his already remarkable career. The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in this fierce rivalry, and India will be counting on Kohli to lead them to more success on Australian soil.