Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli faced another setback in the current ODI series against Australia as he endured his second consecutive duck in Adelaide on October 23. Kohli’s acknowledgment of the crowd at Adelaide Oval before departing the field, amidst a standing ovation, sparked discussions on the potential decline of his illustrious ODI career.
This marks the first instance in Kohli’s career where he has recorded back-to-back ducks in ODIs, a rare occurrence for a player of his caliber. Despite this recent struggle, the 35-year-old has an impressive track record in Australia, accumulating 14,181 runs in ODIs, including 1,327 runs in Australia at a commendable strike rate of 88.34, with five centuries to his name. While some fans defended Kohli, emphasizing that two poor performances should not overshadow his legacy as one of the greatest ODI players, others expressed concerns about his future in the 50-over format.
Criticism on social media hinted at a potential downturn in Kohli’s ODI career, drawing parallels to football references. Notably, a user named Neal Gardner quoted former England player Jamie Carragher, stating, “Leave cricket before cricket leaves you,” alluding to Kohli’s recent form. However, Kohli’s supporters highlighted his exceptional performances in Australia and at Adelaide Oval, countering doubts about his abilities. They referenced Carragher’s past comments on football player Casemiro, which were later proven wrong when the player regained form and excelled.
Kohli’s dismissal in Adelaide mirrored his previous outing in Perth, where he fell to a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc. This time, he struggled against a delivery that seamed back in, continuing his challenges on the off-side. While Kohli’s twin ducks raised concerns among Indian fans, his teammate Rohit Sharma provided relief with a composed 73 off 97 balls in Adelaide. Rohit’s partnership with Shreyas Iyer, contributing 118 runs, aided India’s recovery after early setbacks.
As the series progresses to Sydney, all eyes are on Kohli to bounce back. The upcoming third ODI could be pivotal, possibly shaping the future of his ODI career. Fans remain divided between hoping for a resurgence and fearing the potential conclusion of one of India’s most decorated ODI careers.