Virat Kohli’s 30th Test century was a testament to his temperament, match awareness, and discipline. As the crowd roared in anticipation, Kohli, unsure if a diving fielder had kept the ball in play, was greeted with unwavering support from the fans. The drums pounded and his name echoed through the stadium before he confirmed his century, raising his bat in celebration.

Kohli’s 100, his 7th Test century in Australia, came during a period when India was in a strong position, with Kohli pushing the score ahead in partnership with Nitish Reddy. India later declared, leaving Australia a massive target with 522 runs to chase.

The day started with a familiar sight—the return of Kohli’s signature swat-flick, a shot that had gone missing in recent matches. At the time, Kohli’s batting looked flawless, helping India recover from a slight wobble earlier in the innings, where three quick wickets fell, including Rishabh Pant’s.

Though the third day’s play was marked by variable bounce, Kohli’s performance was more about temperament than just skill. His awareness of the bigger picture and discipline through the day allowed him to accumulate runs and build pressure on Australia. Kohli’s century was a statement after a fallow period; his 30th Test century made him the Indian with the most hundreds in Australia, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar.

Throughout the match, Kohli showed his aggression, displaying an understanding of the pitch conditions and adapting his game accordingly. He avoided the mistakes of the first innings, where he had been undone by extra bounce, and instead found his rhythm against Lyon and the pacers. His technical adjustments were clear: he stayed tighter outside off stump, and his footwork was precise.

In the final session, with India looking to declare, Kohli was the anchor, holding the innings together with his typical confidence. His partnership with Reddy set India up for a dominant position, and despite Australia’s tight fielding and Lyon’s plans to target him, Kohli kept playing his signature shots—swat-flicks and sweeps—that kept the scoreboard ticking.

Kohli’s 9th hundred against Australia was not just a milestone, but a statement of his resilience and understanding of the game. This century came at a crucial time, proving that despite recent struggles, he still has the brilliance that has made him one of the finest batsmen in the world.