Defiant Kohli propels India to lead

Ahmedabad, Mar. 13: Virat Kohli reached triple figures for the first time in 41 innings and a wait of more than three years to nudge India ahad of Australia on day four of the fourth test Sunday.

Kohli scored 186 runs, his 28th test hundred and his highest test score against Australia, as India finished with 571 (178.5 overs) runs in its first innings to take a lead of 91 runs over Australia's first-innings total of 480 runs. At stumps, Matthew Kuhnemann and Travis Head (3 not out) negotiated six overs with Australia at 3-0 in its second innings, trailing by 88 runs.

First innings centurion Usman Khawaja did not open the innings after suffering a suspected knee injury while fielding with Kuhnemann a surprising choice to replace him. The night-watchman survived as Srikar Bharat missed a sharp catching chance in the penultimate over. Kohli's last test hundred came against Bangladesh in November 2019.

Post lunch, Kohli got to his 75th international hundred off 241 balls, including five fours. He had faced 162 deliveries without hitting a boundary, and after reaching his milestone, started playing more attacking strokes. Overall, he hit 15 fours.

It was Kohli's 16th international hundred against Australia, and second slowest test hundred in terms of balls faced.

Srikar Bharat meanwhile scored 44 runs off 88 balls, including two fours and three sixes. He added 84 runs for the fifth wicket with Kohli, before falling to Nathan Lyon.

There was no respite for Australia though as India's highest scorer in this series, Axar Patel, stitched up another long partnership with Kohli.India went to tea at 472-5, with Kohli-Patel adding 162 runs for the sixth wicket. The duo batted for 37.1 overs while chasing down the Australian lead.

The hosts were ahead by 75 runs by the time Patel got out after scoring 79 off 113 balls. Kohli also picked up the slack and reached 150 off 313 balls, adding seven more fours since reaching his century.

NZ to chase 257 on final day 

Ageless Angelo Mathews ground out a determined century to steady Sri Lanka, then put it back into a competitive position in a closely-fought match Sunday on the fourth day of the first test against New Zealand.

At 35 and in his 101st test, Mathews produced his 14th century and one of his best. He was at the crease when play began, 20 not out overnight, and was finally out after tea for 115 with Sri Lanka 242 runs in front after trailing by 18 on the first innings.

Sri Lanka eventually was all out for 302, a lead of 284. At stumps, after 17 overs, New Zealand was 28-1, still 256 behind, and the test is set for a thrilling final day. If New Zealand reaches its target, it will be its third-highest successful run chase in tests.

If Sri Lanka wins, it will be only for the third time in New Zealand and it will keep alive its chances of reaching the final of the World Test Championship.

Sri Lanka began the day at 83-3, effectively 65-3 because of New Zealand's narrow first innings lead. The wicket of nightwatchman Prabath Jayusuriya was the only one to fall in a slow morning session after which Mathews was 54 and Sri Lanka was 150-4, leading by 132. (AP)