IND vs AUS 2023 Highlights, 4th Test, Day 4 Updates: Virat Kohli Dazzles With a Masterful 186 in Ahmedabad

He and his fans waited 40 months for this moment. 1205 days to be precise. It was in November 2019 that Virat Kohli scored a century in Kolkata. And that gave way to a century drought which in Tests which ended in Ahmedabad today when Kohli scored a masterful hundred – his 28th in the format and 75th overall. On a pitch where batters had fun, Axar Patel too showed his prowess, hitting a strokeful 79 but fell as he was looking to score at a quick pace. Kohli scored 186 and was the last man to be dismissed as Indian innings came to an end on 571 with an overall lead of 91. Shreyas Iyer didn’t bat as he went for scan in the morning after complaining of pain in his lower back. Australia came out to bat late in the third session. Surprisingly, they opened with nightwatchman Matthew Kuhnemann alongside specialist opener Travis Head. The pair saw through the six overs safely. Unless something dramatic happens tomorrow, this Test is destined for a draw.

STUMPS ON DAY 4! Australia have successfully negotiated six overs today and not lost any wicket. They have made 3/0 in 6 overs, trail India by 88 runs.

DROPPED! Srikar Bharat fails to hold onto a sharp edge from the bat of Matthew Kuhnemann. A thick edge after R Ashwin bowls a carrom ball but the ball crashes onto the pad of Bharat. AUS 2/0 in 5 overs, trail by 89 runs.

Four close-in fielders apart from the wicketkeeper for Matthew Kuhnemann in the over of Ravindra Jadeja. There was an inside edge onto the pad and then an appeal for LBW which India didn’t review after it was turned down. AUS 1/0 in 4 overs, trail by 90 runs.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are the two new ball bowlers from India. Travis Head got off the mark with a single in the over of Jadeja. Ashwin followed with another maiden over. AUS 1/0 in 3 overs, trail by 90 runs.

So Matthew Kuhnemann has opened the innings for Australia. Ravichandran Ashwin given the new ball by Rohit Sharma. And Kuhnemann plays out a maiden over.  AUS 0/0, trail by 91 runs.

Interesting from Australia. Travis Head has walked out to open the innings with nightwatchman Matthew Kuhnenamann – he batted at no. 11 in the first dig. Australia trail by 91 runs.

Virat Kohli has finally been dislodged by Australia. His masterful innings comes to an end on 186. Consumed 364 deliveries and struck 15 fours during his stay. Todd Murphy gets him as Kohli went for a slog sweep to get some quick runs but ended up holing out to Marnus Labuschagne in the deep. Steve Smith rushes to shake Kohli’s hand as do the other Australians. Shreyas Iyer isn’t available to bat so Indian innings comes to an end on 571 in 178.5 overs. India lead by 91 runs.

DROPPED! Oh how quickly the fortunes change. Peter Handscomb had just produced a superb direct hit to run out Umesh Yadav. And now he has put down a catch at deep midwicket after Virat Kohli went aerial off Nathan Lyon. Not an easy catch but Handscomb would have backed himself to get this one. India 570/8 in 177.3 overs, lead by 90 runs.

WICKET! A superb throw from Peter Handscomb as Umesh Yadav has been run out without facing a ball. Kohli played one towards midwicket region and set off for a single and quickly called him for a second. Handscomb was quick with his throw and hit the bulls eye to catch Umesh short at the non-striker’s end. Umesh walks back on 0. India 569/8 in 176.3 overs, lead by 89 runs.

WICKET! So Ravichandran Ashwin looking for a big hit but finds the man in the deep to be caught for 7. Went for a slog-sweep off Nathan Lyon but didn’t middle the ball. India 568/7 in 175.6 overs, lead by 88 runs.

So Virat Kohli needed some treatment there from the team physio. Seems like a case of cramp. He’s been batting for a long time now. Has to happen. Getting some stretching done. India 564/6, lead by 84 runs.

Ravichandran Ashwin has walked in next. No sign of Shreyas Iyer. If he doesn’t bat this innings, then Ashwin and Virat Kohli is the last recognised batting pair for India. A wicket here and Australia will hope to wrap up the innings soon. Still 15 overs remaining in the day meaning an hour of play still to go. India 560/6 in 174 overs, lead by 80 runs.

WICKET! Some respite for Australia. Axar Patel goes for a drive against Mitchell Starc but gets an inside edge to be bowled on 79. The partnership comes to an end on 162. End of an excellent innings – he struck five fours and four sixes. India 555/6 in 172.3 overs, lead by 75 runs.

Plenty of action in this final session as India batters shift gears. Virat Kohli has now gone past his previous best of 169 against Australia. He’s batting on 174 off 333. Axar Patel has sprinted to 78 off 111. India 551/5, lead by 71 runs.

Axar Patel seems to have been told to go for his shots and he’s making the most of it. He goes down on a knee and launches one from Matthew Kuhnemann over midwicket boundary for a six. That also brings up the 150-run partnership between him and Virat Kohli for the sixth wicket.  India 545/5 in 170.3 overs, lead by 65 runs.

Another big over for India. And it’s Axar Patel who has stepped up. 9 runs from the over of Todd Murphy including a four to Axar. India 538/5 in 170 overs, lead by 58 runs.

Matthew Kuhnemann going for the line down the leg-side. The first time, Axar Patel went for a pull but missed it and the second time he left it alone. But the third time, it was in the arc for the lefty who went for a sweep to send the ball soaring into the stands at midwicket for a maximum. And then a couple of runs each off the next two deliveries, bowled short. 10 runs from the over. India 529/5 in 169 overs, lead by 49 runs.

HALF-CENTURY for Axar Patel! A memorable series he’s having. This is his third fifty of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Gets to the milestone with a single, in front of his home crowd. India 517/5 in 167.1 overs, lead by 37 runs.