Indian cricket team is in the middle of a huge battle against Australia at Indore. The visitors had taken a lead of 88 runs after they were bowled out for 197 in their 1st innings. The onus fell on the Indian batting unit to not only go past the Australian total, but also set them a decent target.
The story so far –
Virat Kohli hasn’t been his regular self in the longest format of the game. Despite showing glimpses of form in the white ball format, Kohli hasn’t really been able to pile up the runs in test cricket. Kohli’s last test ton came against Bangladesh in 2019 and his last half century came early 2022 against South Africa.
Kohli falls for 13 as bad run of form continues –
Virat Kohli had just scored 98 runs from the 4 innings so far in the series. After playing one cover drive off Kuhnemann, it was all over. Kohli went for a pullshot off his backfoot and was caught in the crease and was given out LBW for 13.
Kohli hung his head down, a sight which has become far to common for Indian fans in test cricket as he made his walk back to the pavilion. Even if Kohli had gone for the DRS, it would have stayed out as it as Umpire’s call on ball hitting the stumps.
India lose 4 as Pujara battles on –
Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma added 15 for the 1st wicket before Gill suffered a brainfade. The opener danced down the track to Lyon only to be bowled for 5. Rohit scored 12 yet again as he was trapped LBW by Lyon. Jadeja became the 4th wicket of the innings as he became Lyon’s 3 wicket for 7.
Twitter reacts –
Indian cricket fans came out in mixed voices as they debated about Kohli’s wicket. Many fans were in sympathy with the 34 year old but many fans were now asking BCCI to drop the former Indian skipper. The fans wanted Kohli to call it quits in red ball format and just focus on white ball format.
In the last three innings, Kohli has looked very good without going on to get the really big score. I sense there might be one round the corner, before the series is done
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 1, 2023
Virat Kohli has 32 times Top runs scorer for India in an innings in Test Cricket against SENA - Joint 2nd most for India in the history.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) March 1, 2023
Virat Kohli has fallen twice to Matthew Kuhmemann & thrice to Todd Murphy.
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) March 2, 2023
Aussie rookies OWN the King. #IndvsAus
It's been 8 test matches since Kohli last scored a fifty. Career average also dropped to 48.12 which by no means could be regarded as anywhere near greatness even for current era.
— Nauman (@RNaumanKhalid) March 2, 2023
He is a limited overs champion though.
I second this. Shot played was unacceptable considering its Kohli. But for most, he's always been the victim of the umpire's call. https://t.co/V6j6LGmYvS
— Pratyush Mahapatra (@Pratyush__27) March 2, 2023