In the second ODI between India and Australia at Adelaide, Virat Kohli was dismissed for a duck once again, sparking disappointment among fans and raising fresh concerns about his form. This was the second consecutive match in which the Indian batting stalwart failed to score a single run, leaving supporters and analysts equally worried.
Kohli, who had once made Adelaide his favorite hunting ground, had fond memories of this venue it was here in 2012 that he scored his first international century. However, fortune did not favor him this time. Australia’s fast bowlers were on fire from the very beginning, swinging the ball sharply and maintaining an impeccable line and length. Kohli, visibly struggling for confidence, faced just three balls before being trapped leg-before wicket.
India’s innings got off to a shaky start. Rohit Sharma managed to score a few runs, but wickets kept tumbling from the other end. As soon as Kohli’s wicket fell, the crowd at Adelaide Oval fell silent. The disappointment was visible on the faces of the spectators, and social media soon filled up with frustrated reactions “Is this the same Virat Kohli who once dominated the Aussies?” one user wrote.
Kohli’s repeated dismissals are not just a personal setback but also a worrying sign for India’s top order. His presence on the field has always been a source of confidence for his teammates, and his failures could have a psychological impact on the dressing room. Team management will now have to find ways to help their star batter regain his touch before the next match.
Australia’s bowlers, on the other hand, have made the most of Kohli’s vulnerability. In the first match, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins had him in trouble, and this time, Josh Hazlewood’s perfect inswinger ended his stay at the crease. Analysts note that Kohli’s front-foot movement has slowed down slightly, making him susceptible to swinging deliveries.
For now, Kohli’s back-to-back ducks have become one of the biggest talking points in world cricket. While critics continue to question his form, his fans believe that the champion within him will rise once more perhaps sooner than anyone expects.
