Virat Kohli’s highly anticipated appearance at Adelaide Oval ended in disappointment as he was dismissed for a duck in the second ODI against Australia. The former captain was trapped LBW by Xavier Bartlett after misjudging an inswinging delivery. Kohli, visibly upset by the decision, walked back to the pavilion having faced only four deliveries.
This dismissal followed Kohli’s first ODI duck in Australia during the previous match in Perth, where he fell to a delivery from Mitchell Starc. Despite initially showing restraint outside off stump in Adelaide, he was eventually undone by a delivery that came back at him. Kohli briefly contemplated a review but was advised against it by his partner Rohit Sharma.
Acknowledging the crowd with a wave, Kohli received a standing ovation from the audience, possibly marking his final appearance at the iconic venue. His tally of 976 runs at Adelaide Oval is the highest by any visiting batter at the ground. Despite the disappointment, Indian fans paid tribute to Kohli as he left the field.
Kohli, who had shown promise in training sessions leading up to the match, failed to translate his form into a substantial innings. His return to international cricket alongside Rohit Sharma in this series after the IPL 2025 season has been challenging, with both players struggling to find their rhythm.
In the face of Kohli’s recent batting woes, speculation about his future in the sport is expected to intensify. The lack of match practice was evident in the struggles of both Kohli and Rohit in the series opener, where they failed to make significant contributions. Rohit, in particular, faced difficulties against Josh Hazlewood but managed to anchor the innings despite a slow start.
As Kohli and Rohit continue their comeback journey, their performance will be closely scrutinized by fans and experts alike. The match against Australia in Adelaide highlighted the challenges faced by the experienced duo as they strive to regain their top form on the international stage.