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Aussies take 175-run lead in Perth Test

3 minute read

Australia have bowled India out for 282 before enhancing their lead to 175 runs in the second Test, reaching 4-132 at stumps on day three in Perth.

India batsman VIRAT KOHLI picks up some runs during the 4th Specsavers Test match between England and India in Southampton, England.
India batsman VIRAT KOHLI picks up some runs during the 4th Specsavers Test match between England and India in Southampton, England. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Virat Kohli's classy century, debated dismissal and haughty histrionics dominated a drama-packed third day of the second Test in Perth, where Australia hold a 175-run lead after finishing at 4-132.

Kohli was in the thick of things from go to whoa on Sunday, when Aaron Finch retired hurt with a finger injury but was cleared of serious damage.

Kohli, who marched to the crease on Saturday with India in deep trouble at 2-8, outclassed Australia's star-studded attack in a composed knock of 123 to help India post a first-innings total of 283.

Australia lost 4-61 in the final session before Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine, unbeaten on 41 and eight respectively, thwarted the prospect of a more-dramatic collapse.

Captains Kohli and Paine swapped terse words at the end of play, having started their spat in the final over of play when India went up for a caught-behind appeal then opted against reviewing.

A fired-up Kohli rode the highs and lows emotively while encouraging Indian teammates and fans in equal measure; passionately gesturing, appealing, celebrating and double-teapotting.

"Kohli is out of control ... I don't like his attitude at the moment," Mike Hussey said on Macquarie Sports Radio.

Australia coach Justin Langer was diplomatic but terse on SEN, describing Kohli's antics as "white noise".

Kohli appeared to welcome Peter Handscomb with a few words.

Earlier, third umpire Nigel Llong agonised over every angle of Handscomb's slips catch to see whether Kohli's edge had carried.

Llong eventually decided there wasn't conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field soft signal and reprieve Kohli, who clearly thought otherwise as he trudged off the field without acknowledging the crowd.

"We thought it was out," Nathan Lyon said after taking 5-67.

Jasprit Bumrah countered that India "were a little bit surprised by the on-field call" but added "it's been done, we will move forward".

Moving day lived up to its reputation at Optus Stadium, where a total of 11 wickets fell as Kohli, Finch, Khawaja and Marcus Harris all copped jarring blows of various severity.

"Whatever we get is going to need to be enough ... I'd rather be in the Australian change rooms than India's," Lyon said.

Finch was sent for scans after being struck on the right glove by a rearing Mohammed Shami delivery.

Harris, hit on the helmet while attempting to evade a 142.5 km/h ball from Bumrah, was cleared to continue batting. He will continue to be assessed for signs of concussion.

Kohli didn't flinch when struck on the left elbow by Mitchell Starc.

The stoic skipper brought up the 25th ton of his Test career - and record-equalling sixth in Australia - with a sweetly timed straight drive off Mitchell Starc's second delivery with the second new ball.

A low-key celebration, in which Kohli seemingly made the point that his bat had done all the talking, was a clear statement of intent as he hunted a first-innings lead and victory that would ensure his team retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

It was Kohli's second-slowest Test century, coming from 214 balls.

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