Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023: Matthew Hayden praises Virat Kohli’s batting efforts on Day 3

On Day 3 of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Ahmedabad, Virat Kohli grabbed the eyes of former Australia player Matthew Hayden after he notched up his best figures of the series, scoring 59 runs off 128 balls. The former swashbuckling opener lavished praises on Kohli after his steady game to stabilise India's innings.

Earlier, the third day of the Test started well for Australia as the left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann removed India skipper Rohit Sharma on 35. However, with a 113-run partnership between Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara, India looked determined to follow Australia’s score of 480 runs in the first innings.

Shubman Gill took advantage of the conditions and scored the second century of his Test career. However, Pujara, who was looking in rhythm, couldn’t make it big, as he was dismissed on 42 by Todd Murphy. Pujara’s dismissal brought Kohli to the crease and the veteran stitched a 58-run partnership with Gill, who then got trapped for lbw by Nathan Lyon.

Witnessing the knock of Kohli, former Australia batter and commentator in the ongoing series Matthew Hayden praised the veteran for the way he handled the pressure to grant India a respite.

“Pujara is custom built for this type of wicket, Gill as well, but what I was curious to see was how Virat was going to respond,” said Hayden, while speaking to Star Sports after the day’s play.

The former Aussie opener also lauded Kohli’s reaction to Gill’s century and the way the 34-year-old communicated with the youngster when he made his way into the middle.

“What I liked to see was, Virat Kohli was very animated at Shubman Gill's success and that gives some insight into the individual that is Virat Kohli as well. He is not thinking about himself while being under pressure. It was a nice moment,” Hayden said.

Quest to end Test century drought

With his 59-run knock, Kohli has now added the 29th half-century to his profile in the longest format of the game. Witnessing his confident innings so far, his fans are now expecting him to end his century drought in Tests by converting his fifty into a ton.

The former India skipper’s last Test century came in November 2019 against Bangladesh in Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Last year, Kohli ended a prolonged wait for his 71st century when the stylish batter hit a ton in an Asia Cup match against Afghanistan, which had come after a hiatus of 1019 days. As Kohli takes field for the remainder of his innings, fans would be hoping for a termination to his Test-century drought as well.

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