King Kohli’s Bat Falls Silent: Out for 0 in Two Consecutive Matches in Australia, Creates an Unwanted Record

Adelaide (The Uttam Hindu): Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli’s ongoing tour of Australia has turned into a nightmare. After being dismissed for a duck in the first ODI at Perth, Kohli was once again out for 0 in the second match — marking the first time in his ODI career that he has been dismissed for a duck in two consecutive innings.

In the second ODI, Australian bowler Xavier Bartlett shook India’s top order during the 7th over. In the same over, he dismissed captain Shubman Gill (9) on the first ball and then Virat Kohli on the fifth delivery.

Bartlett bowled a length delivery on middle-off stump, which Kohli tried to flick but missed completely, resulting in an LBW dismissal after facing only four balls. With this, Kohli registered the 40th duck of his international career.

Fans had high expectations from Kohli, who was making a comeback to international cricket after a break. However, in the first ODI at Perth, he also went scoreless after facing eight balls, when Mitchell Starc dismissed him. Notably, that was the first time ever Kohli had been dismissed for a duck in an ODI on Australian soil.

Kohli’s duck at Adelaide was even more shocking because this ground has been one of his most successful venues, where he has scored 975 international runs.

With the 2027 World Cup in sight, this ODI series was considered crucial for veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, the 36-year-old’s poor form has become a serious concern for both team management and fans.

Currently, India trails 0-1 in the three-match ODI series after Australia’s seven-wicket win in a rain-affected first game. The final ODI will be played on October 25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.