Australia v India: Virat Kohli hits 115 as India close on 369-5
- Published
First Test, Adelaide (day three, close): |
Australia 517-7 dec v India 369-5 |
Virat Kohli struck 115 as India fought back on the third day of the first Test against Australia at Adelaide.
Kohli was hit on the helmet by the very first ball he faced but went on to score his seventh Test century as India closed the day on 369-5.
Bowler Mitchell Johnson was visibly shaken by the incident, in Australia's first match since the death of 25-year-old batsman Phillip Hughes last month.
Hughes died after being struck on the neck by a short-pitched delivery.
"We spoke at lunchtime with just Mitch and he is feeling good," said Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
"I can guarantee that he will come out firing in the second innings with the aggression we all love him for."
Australia declared on their overnight total of 517-7, with Steve Smith unbeaten on 162.
India captain Kohli departed three overs before the close, caught by Ryan Harris off a Johnson bouncer, as India finished the day 148 runs behind Australia with five first innings wickets in hand,
Lyon (2-103) was the pick of the Australia attack, taking the wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara (73) and Ajinkya Rahane (62) in his 30 overs.
When Kohli, 26, was struck with the first ball from Johnson, Australia captain Michael Clarke comforted his bowler as players hurried to check on the Indian batsman, who went on to hit 12 fours in his 184-ball innings.
"Your heart skips a beat and I know I went to everyone just to ask if they were OK," Lyon told a news conference.
"But it was a positive thing, too, bad as that sounds, because we know the helmets work. Our quick bowlers have the confidence to bowl bouncers again."
Pujara, who at the non-striker's end when Kohli was hit, paid tribute to his captain for continuing to play his shots and said he expected India to keep attacking when play resumed on day four.
"We want to respect Mitchell Johnson and all the Australia bowlers but be aggressive at the same time," Pujara said.
Clarke gave up his usual position in the slips as he attempts to nurse the chronic back injury he aggravated while batting on the first day.
Lyon said he expected the 33-year-old to complete the rest of the match.
"I know he is just looking at things day by day," said Lyon. "Fingers crossed he will be alright for the rest of the Australian summer."
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