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Is this Virat Kohli's ugliest celebration yet?

Yahoo Sport Australia

If Justin Langer was already unhappy with Virat Kohli’s celebrations, he would have been fuming after this.

The Indian skipper continued his fiery send-offs on Day 4 in Adelaide, saving his best celebration for the dismissal of Aaron Finch.

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After the Aussie opener was caught behind when the ball popped up off his pad and appeared to brush his glove, Kohli came charging in.

With Finch still at the crease deciding whether or not to use DRS, Kohli screamed in delight while looking straight at Finch from about one metre away, pumping his arms animatedly.

Kohli screamed right at Finch. Image: Channel 7
Kohli screamed right at Finch. Image: Channel 7

It continued a trend in the first Test of Kohli going over the top to celebrate a wicket, and fans certainly noticed.

Another said: “I don’t mind Kohli celebrating with all his passion but someone needs to really tell him doing it in the face of the batsman is not okay. I don’t f***ing care how passionate or emotional a character he may be.”

The issue came to the fore on Saturday when Australian coach Langer said his players would be “the worst blokes in the world” if they celebrated like Kohli.

“You love seeing that passion in sport, don’t you?” Langer told Fox Sports.

“Mind you I think if we did that at the moment we’d be the worst blokes in the world. But it’s a fine line, isn’t it?

“That’s the truth of it but I love seeing the passion. That is great passion. As I said, there’s a fine line there.”

Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant celebrate after dismissing Marcus Harris. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)
Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant celebrate after dismissing Marcus Harris. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)

Aussies chasing history for victory in first Test

Shaun Marsh shapes as his side’s best hope of winning the first Test against India which history – and conventional wisdom – suggests is near-impossible.

Australia, set an imposing target of 323 at Adelaide Oval, reached 4-104 at stumps on day four.

Marsh is unbeaten on 31 from 92 balls, having occupied the crease for more time than any other batsman in Australia’s second innings, while Travis Head is 11 not out.

Marsh has history when it comes to resisting India, having batted out 62 overs on day five to help secure a draw last year in Ranchi.

The 35-year-old is also likely to draw confidence from negotiating Sunday’s final session, plus last month’s Sheffield Shield knock of 163 not out in Adelaide, where he helped Western Australia to overhaul a target of 313.

But the mountain confronting the much-maligned veteran on Monday is significantly more confronting for several reasons, with Australia still 219 runs away from a record-breaking victory after yet another concerning collapse of 4-56.

The highest-successful run chase in an Adelaide Test is Australia’s 6-315, achieved in 1902 against England, while no side has hunted down more than 236 at the venue since West Indies in 1982.

HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL RUN CHASES IN ADELAIDE OVAL TESTS:

6-315 by Australia to beat England, 1902

5-239 by West Indies to beat Australia, 1982

4-233 by West Indies to defeat Australia, 1951

6-233 by India to defeat Australia, 2003

HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL RUN CHASES IN TEST CRICKET:

7-418 by West Indies to beat Australia at St John’s, 2003

4-414 by South Africa against Australia at WACA Ground, 2008

4-406 by India to beat West Indies at Port of Spain, 1976

3-404 by Australia to beat England at Headingly, 1948

HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL RUN CHASES IN AUSTRALIA:

6-369 by Australia to beat Pakistan at Bellerive Oval, 1999

8-342 by Australia to beat India at WACA Ground, 1977

7-332 by England to beat Australia at MCG, 1928

6-315 by Australia to beat England at Adelaide Oval, 1902

with AAP