Kohli reaches 81st century, sends heartfelt flying kiss to wife Anushka: WATCH

Virat Kohli returned to form with a moraleboosting hundred after Yashasvi Jaiswals masterful century as India declared their second innings for 487 for six setting Australia a victory target of 534 on day 3 of the opening Test on SundayKohli smashed eight fours and two sixes during his unbeaten 100 off 143 balls forging a 89run partnership for the sixth wicket with Washington Sundar 29 and unfinished 77 off 54 balls with Nitesh Reddy 38 not out to bat Australia out of the match This was after Jaiswals solid 161 at the topThe year 2024 has been a challenging one for Kohli who had managed just one halfcentury in his previous 13 innings However he made a strong comeback with a century at the Optus Stadium with his wife Bollywood superstar Anushka Sharma present in the stands This will go down as one of my most favourite Virat Kohli hundreds The way he had complete control throughout the innings the way he replicated those classic shots the sweeps the drives and finally that evergreen flying kiss to Anushkahellip uff whata day pictwittercomrm1DXcrE3Kmdash H cmoncheeeks November 24 2024Anushka visibly emotional stood up and applauded her husbandrsquos remarkable achievementKohli reached his century during the 135th over when he received a full delivery from Marnus Labuschagne which he expertly swept fine past a diving fielder for a four The camera once again focused on Anushka whose emotional reaction was evident Kohli then blew flying kisses to his wife in a heartfelt momentVirat Kohli recreated his flying kiss celebration from the 2014 BGT pictwittercomIMm4Eg6dsgmdash chixxsays November 24 2024Immediately after India declared at 4876 setting Australia a daunting target of 534 runs Speaking to broadcasters postdeclaration Kohli praised Anushkarsquos unwavering support saying ldquoYes look I mean Anushka has been right by my side through thick and thin So she knows everything that goes on behind the scenes when I am in the room what goes on in the head when you dont play well you make a few mistakes when you are getting yourself in I just wanted to contribute to the teams cause you know I am not a guy who wants to hang around just for a sake of it I take pride in performing for my country and just feels amazing the fact that she is here makes it even more specialrdquoAlso ReadVirat Kohli smacks 30th century shutting critics and downing Australia in PerthEarlier this year the couple welcomed their second child in February and both have accompanied Kohli for the ongoing series in Australia In the first innings Kohli had faced only 12 balls scoring just five runs He was dismissed by a length delivery from Josh Hazlewood edging it to Usman Khawaja at first slip for a straightforward catchWith this century Kohli now has seven Test tons in Australia the jointhighest for any Indian batter in an away country He is tied with Sunil Gavaskar who also has seven centuries in the West Indies and ahead of Rahul Dravid six in England and Sachin Tendulkar six in Australia In terms of most Test centuries against a single opponent Kohli has nine centuries against Australia equaling Sachin Tendulkarrsquos tally Sunil Gavaskar holds the record with 13 centuries against the West Indies followed by Tendulkar with 11 against Australia Gavaskar also boasts eight centuries against AustraliaKohlirsquos nine centuries in Australia now place him jointsecond among visiting batters alongside Wally Hammond with Jack Hobbs leading the pack with 9 centuries