Watch: Anushka Sharma elated, claps for Virat Kohli after he completes fifty in Perth

Anushka Sharma was in attendance on Day 3 of the 1st Test between India and Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth. She lauded Kohli as he completed his fifty in 94 balls.

In Short

• Virat Kohli completed his half century in 94 balls in Perth
• This was Kohli's 11th fifty-plus score in Australia
• Anushka Sharma was in attendance at the Optus Stadium in Perth

Star India batter Virat Kohli hit a fighting fifty on Day 3 of the 1st Test between India and Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Kohli had his biggest cheerleader in attendance at Perth stadium in the name of his wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma. Anushka stood and applauded her husband's knock as Kohli hit his 11th 50-plus score vs Australia. This was Anushka's first-ever appearance during India's matches after the ODI World Cup 2023 last year in November.

Virat and Anushka gave birth to their second child, Akaay Kohli, earlier this year in February. She took care of kids Vamika and Akaay and couldn't join Kohli during India's T20 World Cup triumph. However, Anushka and the kids accompanied Kohli for the all-important tour to Australia Down Under. Kohli made the opportunity count after getting dismissed cheaply for just five runs in the 1st innings.

It has been a tough year for Kohli with just one fifty before this in 13 innings. India would be glad that he made runs in the first Test of what is going to be a really long series.

Anushka lauds Kohli's fifty

Kohli braved tough conditions in Perth and completed his half-century in 94 balls to keep India's dominance intact in the opening Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

With his impressive half-century, Virat Kohli inched closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most 50+ scores in Australia. This marked Kohli’s 11th 50+ score against the Aussies, leaving him just two short of Tendulkar's record of 13. Sachin, India's all-time leading scorer against Australia, amassed six centuries and seven fifties Down Under, and solidified his legendary status in one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries.