Virat Kohli Eyes Victory After Smashing Career-Best 169 vs Australia

Virat Kohli helped India close in on Australia's first innings total of 530 with a sensational 169 and then expressed hope for a rare victory Down Under with the pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground expected to deteriorate over the next two days of the third Test. (Highlights | Scorecard)

Kohli was involved in a an epic 262-run stand with Ajinkya Rahane (147) and led India to a strong position before late strikes by Australia evened things out at the end of the third day. However, with the tourists on 462/8, Kohli urged the tailenders to push towards 500 on Monday morning so that off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin could exploit the rough created by left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson.

"The match is nicely poised We hope to get close to 500 and then Ashwin can come into the play later. If we get them out quickly on Monday, we should be in a good position. Nathan Lyon had got a lot of spin and bounce (in Adelaide on a wearing surface). We have the intent and the will. This time we would like to cross the line no matter whatever Australia set us," Kohli said at the end of day's play with India still trailing by 68 runs. (Kohli-Johnson Verbal Battle Spices up Day 3)

Kohli endured some sledging from the Australians and was involved in constant verbal duels with Johnson but the Indian deputy stuck to his ground and smothered the hosts with some exquisite shots. The Delhi batsman said strong mental preparation back home, which included taking tips from Sachin Tendulkar, was paying off.

"Mentally I was preparing back home to be positive here and take Johnson and (Ryan) Harris on. I don't want to let the bowlers bowl in the sweet spot. I have tried my best to force the bowlers to change their lengths and that has worked for me," Kohli said. (Rahane Hammers Maiden Ton in Australia)

Kohli, who is being tipped to take over the Test captaincy from Mahendra Singh Dhoni cracked his ninth hundred in only 31 Tests. It was the third of the series after the twin tons in Adelaide. But he picked the 147 in the series opener as the most special of the lot, given the emotions in the match and the massive target India almost successfully chased down.

There was more to the day other than Kohli's fireworks. His huge fifth wicket stand with Rahane was the highest for India overseas in the last 10 years. "It  was great to have a partnership with Jinx [Rahane]. He had made a good hundred at Lord's and he batted very well here. I am happy for him," said Kohli.

Rahane, who was more aggressive than Kohli throughout the stand, said he had decided to play his natural game. "The hundred at Lord's gave me confidence and here I decided to play to the merit of the ball. Virat asked me to play my natural game.