Michael Vaughan and Adam Gilchrist on Virat Kohli: ‘Ominous sign for Australia that he’s found form’

Vaughan also dissected Virat Kohli’s century in the second innings and explains the changes Indian batter made after getting out on 5 in the first innings.

“I mean, in the first innings, he came out of his crease and was trying to get close to the ball one bounce. I thought, well, that’s a bit dangerous at Perth.

India’s Virat Kohli kisses his bat as he celebrates his century on the third day of the first cricket test between Australia and India in Perth, Australia, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)

“In the second innings, the pitch quietened down, he came in in a good position, but his movements are perfect for these wickets.

“When the ball comes on, he’s got that lovely punch through the offside. He was keeping his balance to work on the onside and anything slightly short, you know, he was whipping onto that pulled shot, the hook shot.

“Against Nathan Lyon, he just had a very simple game plan, just work it on the onside with the spin. Played a couple of sweep shots, actually. You don’t see him sweep the ball too often.”

Gilchrist on Virat

Meanwhile, Adam Gilchrist on the other hand suggested that the double innings collapsed inside first four sessions of the Test match worked in favour of Virat.

Batting first, India were bowled out for 150 and in reply, Australia could only manage 104 runs.

India’s Virat Kohli celebrates his century on the third day of the first cricket test between Australia and India in Perth, Australia, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)

“I think that the double innings collapse in the first innings of both teams worked in Virat’s favour,” said Gilchrist.

“He looked like he came out probably a little bit too, trying to be a bit too authoritative in the first innings, he was buzzing, he was all about it, his energy was right up the Richter scale. He got nipped out like a lot of them did, but I think that just had a chat with him after that next morning and he said, oh, yeah, so disappointed getting out. But then by the end of the day, you realise that’s not a big failure compared to a lot of things that happened in that day.

“So he obviously processes it pretty quick, had a beautiful platform when he came out in the second innings and just looked really in control and at ease. So, you know, and then I tell you what helped him too, he was 60-odd by the time the motion came from Jasprit Bumrah, but that was positive cricket. Like what you say, Vaughan, everything was all about going forward, taking that game forward by the Indians.”