With his defiant century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, Virat Kohli became only the second Indian batsman after Sunil Gavaskar to score three Test hundreds in a series against Australia.
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Kohli has one more match to go before he closes this series but for the record Gavaskar has scored four Test hundreds in a series twice on overseas tours.
The Indian vice-captain came into bat at a difficult time for India, scored his ninth Test century to put the visitors in a better position at 462 for eight at close of play on the third play in reply to Australia's 530.
Stitching a record 262-run fourth-wicket partnership with Ajinkya Rahane, Kohli, who scored a career-best 169 not only showed temperament but also class in his fabulous knock.
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Kohli, his 272-ball stay laced with 18 fours, though was out caught behind off Mitchell Johnson in the final over of the day.
The No. 4 batsman, who has recorded his fourth ton in Australia overall, had a wonderful first Test in Adelaide as stand-in-skipper, getting centuries (115 and 141) in both the innings only to see his side lose by a 48 runs.
Playing his 36th Test match, the 26-year-old also increased his century count on overseas pitches. The batsman is placed eighth in the Asian list, led by Sachin Tendulkar (18), of century-makers outside the continent.
Apart from his four tons in Australia, Kohli has notched up the three-figure mark thrice in India and one each in South Africa and New Zealand.
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