- Shamser Khalid
Virat Kohli Reportedly Sick During Match
Cricket fans were treated to a spectacle on Day 4 of the ongoing fourth Test between India and Australia. Virat Kohli, one of the world's best batsmen, put on a masterclass as he smashed a towering 186, missing out on his 8th Test double century by a whisker.
What made Kohli's knock even more special was that it came after a gap of more than three years. It was a momentous occasion for the former India captain, and he dedicated his knock to his wife, Anushka Sharma, by kissing the wedding ring on his gold chain.
But that's not all. In an Instagram post, Anushka revealed that Kohli was "playing through sickness".
In her social media story, Prithi Narayanan, the wife of Ravichandran Ashwin, disclosed that Kohli had been struggling with a fever. Nevertheless, Kohli fought through it and batted for over 50 overs, guiding India to a secure position when his team needed it the most.
It's no secret that Kohli is a fierce competitor who never shies away from a challenge, but this revelation adds another layer of admiration for the Indian captain.
Teammates' Statements on Kohli's Condition
Former Indian bowler Ajit Agarkar suggested that Kohli might have become ill due to the intense heat in Ahmedabad. However, he praised the Indian skipper's fitness, stating that Kohli's determination showed in his innings.
Similarly, former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden hailed Kohli's impressive innings, noting that it brought India back into the game.
Teammate Axar Patel, who stitched together a vital 162-run partnership with Kohli, was asked about the Indian skipper's health after the game. He stated that the way Kohli ran between the wickets, it didn't seem like he was suffering from any sickness.
What Happened in the Match
Kohli's marathon innings, which saw him score his first Test century since November 2019, and the partnership with Patel helped India take the advantage on Day 4.
Kohli's heroics helped India take a 91-run lead against Australia, as they ended their first innings on 571. Shreyas Iyer, unfortunately, did not walk out to bat due to an injury setback. But the Indian batters put up a strong showing, with Axar Patel playing counter-attacking innings of 79 from 113 balls in a 162-run partnership with Kohli.
Virat Kohli, who is often referred to as "King Kohli" for his remarkable batting skills, thrilled the crowd in Ahmedabad by scoring his 28th Test century with a single off spinner Nathan Lyon during the second session of the match.
However, Kohli's recent years were not without challenges. He endured a prolonged slump in his batting form throughout 2021 and 2022, leading to his resignation from the Indian captaincy, considered one of the most demanding roles in international sports.
Australia has a mountain to climb if they are to win this Test. At stumps on Day 4, they were three for no loss in their second innings, with Matthew Kuhnemann (0 batting) and Travis Head (3 batting) seeing through their six overs in the final session. But they are still behind by 88 runs, and with India's strong bowling attack, it won't be easy for them to chase down the target.
