Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli dominated headlines on Saturday, not for his bat, but for a truly spectacular catch against Australia in the third One Day International. While his recent batting performances have left fans anxious, Kohli etched his name in the record books with his 77th catch against Australia – the most by any non-wicketkeeper against a single opponent in international cricket.
Kohli’s return to ODI cricket has been challenging, as he recorded his first-ever back-to-back ducks in the format. After falling for an 8-ball duck in Perth and a 4-ball nought in Adelaide, he will have another opportunity to turn his fortunes around in the ongoing third ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Virat Kohli took a flashy catch in the third ODI between Australia and India in Sydney.
The moment of brilliance arrived when Washington Sundar delivered a ball to Matthew Short. Short struck it hard and flat, but Kohli, positioned at square leg, reacted with lightning speed. He crouched low and executed a magnificent reverse-cupped catch right in front of his face, dismissing the Australian batter and leaving him visibly disappointed.
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You can watch the incredible moment online, as Virat Kohli takes a stunning catch to dismiss Matt Short. Despite this fielding highlight, Kohli’s struggles with the bat remain a significant concern. The 36-year-old’s comeback in this three-match ODI series against Australia hasn’t unfolded as hoped. With India already trailing 0-2 under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, Kohli’s consecutive zeros have undoubtedly heightened worries among his massive fan base.
Leading up to the third ODI, social media platforms were abuzz with discussions centred around Kohli. Many of his supporters appeared to be more focused on his individual performance and prospects for a batting comeback rather than the overall series outcome.
Most Catches Against an Opponent by a Non-Wicketkeeper:
| Catches | Player | Team | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | Virat Kohli | India | Australia |
| 76 | Steve Smith | Australia | England |
| 72 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | England |
| 71 | Allan Border | Australia | England |
| 68 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | Pakistan |
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