Virat Kohli's wife rubs salt into Aussie wounds with startling revelation
Anushka Sharma has revealed husband Virat Kohli wasn't 100 per cent during his masterful knock in the fourth Test.
Virat Kohli's wife has revealed he was battling illness throughout his masterful knock of 186 in the fourth Test between India and Australia. The former India captain finally broke through for his first Test century since November 2019 on Sunday - producing his highest-ever score against Australia.
The remarkable innings piloted India to a massive first-innings total of 571 and into a position where they can't conceivably lose the match. With Australia reaching 0-3 in their second innings at stumps on day four, the series finale is seemingly headed towards a disappointing draw.
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But one thing that wasn't disappointing was the way Kohli batted, bringing up his 28th Test century in a 364-ball innings. Kohli finally fell to Todd Murphy in the final session on day four, but not before he'd batted India into a powerful position that will likely see India win the series 2-1.
Taking to social media after the day's play, Kohli's wife Anushka Sharma made the revelation that has sick throughout his innings, inadvertently rubbing salt into Australia's wounds after they struggled so hard to dismiss him. In an Instagram story posted after Kohli registered his 75th century at international level, Anushka wrote: "Playing through sickness with this composure. Inspiring me always."
However the sickness was news to all-rounder Axar Patel, who shared a 162-run sixth-wicket partnership with Kohli. Speaking to reporters after stumps, Patel said: "That (he was ill) I don't know, but the way he was running between the wickets, it didn't seem he was unwell. The way he got the partnership in this heat and ran between the wickets, it was good batting alongside him."
Kohli endured an extended batting slump throughout 2021 and 2022, during which time he lost the Indian captaincy and was replaced by Rohit Sharma. The 34-year-old had previously spoken about his mental health struggles during his lean run of form, including how he had been 'snappy' towards his wife.
Kohli resumed on 59 on Sunday after reaching his first Test half-century on Saturday since January 2022. The landmark came after a patient innings of 241 balls.
"He's a class player and he didn't give us a chance really," Australia wicket-keeper Alex Carey said. "We knew it was going to be tough bowling to Virat. We were able to contain him as much as we could and try to take wickets around him."
Usman Khawaja injured as fourth Test heads for draw
India's total of 571 gave them a first-innings lead of 91 after Australia made 480 while batting first. The Aussies then went to stumps on 0-3 on Sunday, with spinner Matthew Kuhnemann opening the batting in the absence of Usman Khawaja.
Khawaja left the field with the team doctor after falling awkwardly while attempting a catch on the boundary. An Australian team spokesperson said Khawaja's injury was "lower leg soreness, nothing conclusive", with the Queenslander no certainty to be able to bat on day five.
With Australia still 88 runs in arrears of India's first-innings total, the match appears headed for a draw and 2-1 series victory for India. After backlash that the first three pitches of the series were too dry and spin-friendly, curators went the complete other way in Ahmedabad and produced a batter's paradise.
After just one century in the first three matches (Rohit Sharma in the first Test), the fourth Test has seen four players reach triple figures. Shubman Gill earlier made 128 for India, after Usman Khawaja (180) and Cameron Green (114) also notched tons for Australia.
Cricket fans and commentators have been quick to condemn the flat pitch in Ahmedabad. Many have suggested the curators went away from a spin-friendly surface after it backfired on India when Australia won the third Test. With India only needing a draw to win the series and put one foot in the World Test Championship final, the flat pitch effectively ensured India couldn't lose the series finale.
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