Virat Kohli Continues to Shower Anushka Sharma with Flying Kisses after His 30th Century: 'She knows everything that...'

On Day 3, Virat Kohli achieved his 30th Test century and 80th overall. Despite a tough year in 2024 with just one half-century in 13 innings, Kohli silenced his critics by reaching this milestone. It took him 94 deliveries to reach his fifty in the 117th over, with a beautiful flick through midwicket off Pat Cummins for three runs. Anushka Sharma, Kohli's wife and Bollywood superstar, was present at the Optus Stadium and was visibly emotional, giving him a standing ovation.

Then he reached his ton in 143 balls in the 135th over, receiving a full delivery from Labuschagne, which he swept away fine past a diving fielder for a four. The camera once again panned to Anushka, who was emotional. He was also seen blowing flying kisses to his wife. Then India declared right away, posting 487/6, with a lead of 534 runs.

Speaking after declaring, Kohli hailed Anushka for her presence in his life. Speaking to the broadcasters, he said, “Yes, look I mean Anushka has been right by my side through thick and thin. So she knows everything that goes on behind the scenes, when I am in the room, what goes on in the head, when you don't play well, you make a few mistakes, when you are getting yourself in. I just wanted to contribute to the team's cause, you know I am not a guy who wants to hang around just for a sake of it. I take pride in performing for my country and just feels amazing, the fact that she is here makes it even more special.”

The pair welcomed their second child earlier this year in February. They have accompanied Kohli for the ongoing series in Australia. In the first innings, Kohli faced only 12 balls, as he departed for five runs. Facing a hard length delivery from Josh Hazlewood, Kohli got a thick outside edge, which saw the ball fly to Usman Khawaja at first slip for a regulation catch.

Kohli now has seven tons in Australia, which is the joint-highest for most Test hundreds in an away country for India. He is on level terms with Sunil Gavaskar (7 in West Indies), and ahead of Rahul Dravid (6 in England), Sachin Tendulkar (6 in Australia). In the list for most Test tons against an opponent for India, he is joint-third with Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli has nine Test centuries vs the Aussies, and Sachin also has nine. Sunil Gavaskar leads the pack with 13 vs West Indies, and Tendulkar also has 11 vs Australia. Meanwhile, Gavaskar also has eight vs Australia.

Among the visiting batters with most Test centuries in Australia, Kohli is now joint-second with Wally Hammond, and Jack Hobbs (9) leads the pack.