It was a thrilling day of cricket on day two as India stole a sight march over Australia at Perth.

Having bowled the hosts out for 326 in the first innings, India responded strongly with the bat and had reached 172-3 before the close of play on day two.

Virat Kohli was the chief architect of India’s strong response with a battling unbeaten innings of 82.

Here, we take a closer look at the 29-year-old’s display on Saturday.

STATISTICS

RUNS SCORED: 82

BALLS FACED: 181

BOUNDARIES: 9

SIXES: 0

STRIKE-RATE: 45.30

30-SECOND REPORT

The India skipper arrived at the crease with his side in a huge spot of bother at 8-2 following the early dismissals of KL Rahul and Murali Vijay. Kohli started off his innings fluently with four boundaries off Josh Hazlewood before putting on a gritty stand for the third-wicket alongside Cheteshwar Pujara.

Following Pujara’s dismissal at the start of the final session, Kohli found able support from Ajinkya Rahane at the other end as he scripted a fighting 20th Test half-century. The skipper and his deputy put on an unbeaten 90-run stand to ensure India have their noses slightly ahead of a crucial day three at Perth.

A 20th half-century in the format for the India skipper.

GOT RIGHT

While Kohli was extremely pleasing on the eye at the start of his innings, he had to weather a tricky period in the second session where Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon tightened the screws on the Indian batsmen.

There were plenty of plays and misses by Kohli, particularly against Cummins, but he did not let those deliveries shake his unwavering focus and played each ball on merit.

Whenever the ball was in his zone, Kohli made sure to take advantage as he inched towards his first ton on the tour.

His tendency to play with soft hands also came to his aid with an outside edge off a Cummins delivery in the final over of the day failing to carry to second slip.

GOT WRONG

On a pitch which had plenty for the bowlers who landed the ball on the right spot, Kohli was made to look ordinary at times by Australia’s bowlers.

He looked particularly shaky against Cummins in test period before tea but to his credit, he did not let those moments affect his mentality at the crease.

He also had a brief loss of concentration against the off-spin of Lyon as he shouldered his arms to a delivery that spun back in sharply before sailing just inches over the off-stump.

Plenty of uncomfortable moments for Kohli at the crease.

VERDICT – 8/10

It was not the most aesthetically pleasing of Test innings from Kohli but it could prove to be a highly crucial one in the context of the series. It was an innings very much in the mould of his previous centuries on the tours of England and South Africa where he dug in despite some relentless bowling from the hosts.

Having weathered the initial storm, the India skipper gradually asserted his dominance over the bowlers as the day wore on and was looking in supreme touch by the time stumps were drawn. There is still plenty of work left to do for Kohli and India in the Test.

However, with India reeling at 8-2 at one stage, Kohli’s innings couldn’t have come at a better time and with a 25th Test ton now looming large for the right-hander, it could be an ominous sign for Tim Paine and the hosts.

Kohli looks ready for a fight.