Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli’s return to international cricket took an unexpected and challenging turn, as he registered his second consecutive duck in the second One-Day International against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. This unfortunate milestone marks a first in his illustrious career. His brief stay at the crease was cut short by a superb delivery from Xavier Bartlett.
Bartlett’s impactful spell saw him dismantle India’s top order, dismissing both captain Shubman Gill for 9 runs and then Kohli in the same over, delivering significant early blows to the Indian batting lineup.
As Kohli made his way back to the pavilion, a particular hand gesture he made towards the supportive crowd at Adelaide has captured widespread attention and ignited a social media firestorm. The image of him appearing to lift his gloves in appreciation has sparked intense debate: Was it a simple acknowledgment of the fans’ unwavering support, or could it be a more profound, perhaps even career-altering, indication of his future plans?
This dismissal occurred during his highly anticipated comeback to competitive cricket. Despite this recent setback, Kohli boasts a remarkable record at Adelaide Oval in ODIs, having accumulated 244 runs in just four innings at an impressive average of 61.00, including two centuries. His highest score at this ground stands at 107.
One of Kohli’s memorable Adelaide centuries holds particular significance, as it came against arch-rivals Pakistan during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, a historic first for an Indian batsman in a World Cup fixture against them.
Currently, Kohli stands alongside the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, each holding 51 centuries in a single format (Kohli in ODIs, Tendulkar in Tests). A potential next century would see Kohli become the sole record holder for most centuries in a single format, with 52 ODI tons.
The match itself commenced with Australian captain Mitchell Marsh winning the toss and opting to bowl first. Australia entered this game leading the three-match series 1-0, having secured a seven-wicket victory in the opening encounter at Perth Stadium.