Kohli blasts century as India declare against Australia

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Virat Kohli roared back to form with a vintage century against Australia on Sunday, with India declaring their second innings as he achieved the feat in the first Test in Perth.

The visitors dialed up 487-6 in the final session on day three, with an ominous lead of 533 runs.

The 36-year-old star batsman Kohli entered the series under increasing scrutiny after managing only two Test tons in the last five years.

He averaged just 15 in their recent humiliating 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand, prompting questions about whether he should still be an automatic selection.

His cause was not helped when he fell for five in the first innings at Perth Stadium, but he responded defiantly on Sunday to leave Australia with a mountain to climb.

Coming in when Devdutt Padikkal was out for 25, he played himself in and rode his luck to bring up a half-century before unleashing a flurry of boundaries.

Kohli completed his 30th Test century off 143 balls with eight fours and two sixes.

It was his first ton since last July when he achieved the feat against West Indies in Port of Spain.

mp/pst