"Virat Kohli doesn't need us, it is we who need Virat Kohli" - Jasprit Bumrah hails ace batter after 1st BGT 2024-25 Test win

Team India's stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah praised ace batter Virat Kohli for his sensational second innings century in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test against Australia in Perth. Kohli entered the series under immense pressure after a sub-par home Test series against New Zealand, averaging under 16 in three games.

However, as has been the case throughout his illustrious career, the 36-year-old saved his best for Australia. After scoring only five in the first innings, Kohli responded to his critics in style with an unbeaten 143-ball 100 to help India set Australia a massive 534 for victory.

The hosts folded for a mere 238 in reply as India took a 1-0 series lead with a thumping 295-run win.

Speaking at the post-match press conference on Kohli, Bumrah said:

"I have said this before that Virat Kohli doesn't need us, it is we who need Virat Kohli. He is an experienced player, his 4th or 5th tour, so he knows best what his batting and calibre is like. Sometimes when you have a career this long and you play in so many tough scenarios that he has played in, performing in every match becomes a bit difficult. But he was always looking in great space in this match."

The century was Kohli's first in international cricket this year and a seventh in Tests down under.

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"If at the start of the series a player like him gets some confidence, you cannot ask for anything more" - Jasprit Bumrah

Australia v India - Men's 1st Test Match: Day 3 - Source: Getty

Jasprit Bumrah feels Virat Kohli starting the Australia series on an emphatic note augurs well for himself and India for the rest of the tour. It was also Kohli's 81st international century and No.30 in the red-ball format.

"Obviously he got a great delivery in the first innings, but he was still in great space and he capitalised in the second innings. The second innings we needed an experienced batter who plays good himself and also allows the other batter to play freely. If at the start of the series a player like him gets some confidence, you cannot ask for anything more," said Bumrah.

Kohli, who was India's first-ever Test series-winning captain in Australia in 2018-19, is part of the fifth Test series down under in his career.

Meanwhile, the two teams will be on a 10-day break before the second Test in Adelaide, starting December 6.