India’s quality performance on foreign soil in 2018 has been largely due to the batting prowess shown by skipper Virat Kohli. Leading from the front, he has scored runs in South Africa, England and now Australia. And on Sunday, he became only the third Indian after Mohinder Amarnath and Rahul Dravid to score a 1000 runs on foreign soil in a calendar year. Interestingly, he is only the third skipper after Bob Simpson and Graeme Smith to achieve the feat.
Batting on a bowler-friendly Perth wicket, Kohli brought up the 1000th run when he reached 84 on the third morning of the second Test against Australia at the Optus Stadium. He is now the 11th batsman to reach the landmark.
A determined Kohli led India’s fightback on an engrossing second day in Perth, blunting Australia’s bowling attack to leave the second Test hanging in the balance.
The India talisman had scored just 83 runs in his past seven Test innings against Australia, but his 181-ball knock has given his team hope of reeling in Australia’s competitive first innings total.
