Adelaide (Rajeev Sharma): The crowd at Adelaide Oval, known for its affection toward Virat Kohli, was left stunned on Thursday as the Indian stalwart walked back to the pavilion without scoring. For the second time in a row this series, Kohli was dismissed for a golden duck, marking a difficult outing in what could be his final appearance at one of his most cherished venues.
Kohli’s dismissal came in the second ODI against Australia, when pacer Xavier Bartlett delivered a sharp inswinger that struck him plumb in front. Having faced just four deliveries, Kohli appeared dejected as the umpire raised his finger. He briefly considered challenging the call but decided against it after a brief exchange with his batting partner Rohit Sharma.
Australia’s double strike in the seventh over—claiming both Shubman Gill and Kohli—pushed India on the back foot early. Kohli’s back-to-back failures in the series have raised questions about his rhythm since returning to the international stage after a long break post the IPL 2025 season.
The 36-year-old had entered the game with great anticipation surrounding his form, particularly given his exceptional record at Adelaide Oval. Over the years, the ground has been witness to some of Kohli’s finest performances, where he has accumulated 976 runs, the most by any visiting player. Yet, Thursday’s innings was far from the fairytale fans had hoped for.
As he made the slow walk back to the dressing room, Kohli raised his bat slightly and waved to the stands—a gesture many interpreted as a possible farewell to the Adelaide faithful. In return, the crowd rose in unison, applauding one of modern cricket’s greatest ambassadors.
Before the match, Kohli had looked composed and confident during practice sessions. Videos shared online showed him middling the ball sweetly in the nets, fueling expectations of a trademark Kohli innings. However, the match told a different story, as Australia’s seamers found movement early and exposed India’s top order.
Captain Rohit Sharma also struggled to find fluency, managing only 19 off 43 balls against a disciplined Australian attack led by Josh Hazlewood. India’s innings moved cautiously after the early setbacks, with fans sensing the absence of Kohli’s trademark stability in the middle order.
With two consecutive ducks, Kohli’s form has become a topic of intense debate among fans and pundits alike. While his technique remains unquestioned, the lack of match exposure appears to have affected his timing and shot selection.
Still, for the thousands who packed the stands, the day was about more than statistics. As Kohli disappeared down the players’ tunnel, the applause that echoed through Adelaide Oval served as a reminder of the enduring admiration he commands—no matter the scoreboard.
