Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli left fans in disbelief recently when he exited the field after receiving an unanticipated out wicket. This almost unbelievable, but nonetheless true, moment happened during the recent ODI series with Australia. At 36 years old, Kohli has been a stalwart of Indian cricket, but his recent performance in Australia raised questions about his future in the sport. This match featured his first-ever duck in 30 ODIs contested on Australian soil. That remarkable streak finally came to an end during this meeting.
Kohli’s dismissal was the first casualty, as Kiwi-born Connolly took a low catch at backward point off the bowling of India’s Mitch Starc. The experienced top-order player went in for just eight balls and made zero runs. This was a painful departure from the inflated expectations about his glorious last go-round. Fans dreamt of this series against Australia as Kohli’s last hurrah across all formats, where he would finally showcase his full talent one last time on the big stage. Instead, it delivered an immediate punch to the gut.
Many fans expressed their dismay over Kohli’s performance, with one stating, “When you wait 4 months & 16 days to watch an 8 ball duck … Feel for Virat Kohli.” Another commented, “Virat Kohli dismissed for an 8 ball duck. A very disappointing moment after long waiting periods.” Such reactions underline the emotional investment many supporters have in Kohli’s career, especially as he and teammate Rohit Sharma stand at the twilight of theirs.
The game, which was during Kohli’s farewell tour with the Indian team, has huge implications on Kohli’s international cricket career. He has previously retired from Test cricket and T20 internationals. Now, speculation is swirling as to whether he’ll make it all the way through to the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa. As fans attempt to think through this imponderable, many have started to advocate for his early retirement. One fan remarked, “Virat Kohli will retire after this series. This is clearly visible now.”
Critics also lauded Kohli’s performance, saying he went back to making the same mistakes that once cost him his Test career. A commentator lamented, “It was so disappointing to see Virat Kohli repeat the same mistakes that turned out to be the final nail in the coffin of his Test career.” These types of comments indicate an increasing belief that the Kohli era on top is slowly coming to an end.
With Kohli enjoying his farewell tour, the 34-year-old is captained by fledgling superstar Shubman Gill during this five-match ODI series. The eyes of the cricketing world are on you. He’s definitely intent on bouncing back from this injury and ending his hall of fame career on top.
