Virat Kohli’s ongoing battle with form continued on Day 1 of the first Test match between India and Australia in Perth, as the Indian star was dismissed for just 5 runs in the opening innings. Disappointing performance of Virat Kohli has once again sparked concern among fans and pundits alike, as the right-handed batter failed to make an impact on a challenging green top wicket.
Kohli Edged Out by Hazlewood
Kohli’s departure came at the hands of Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who delivered a rising ball outside the off-stump. Virat Kohli, standing outside the crease, couldn’t control the shot and edged the ball to Usman Khawaja at slip. This marked another low point for the former captain, who had entered the series with a lean run of form, managing just 93 runs in his last six innings against New Zealand.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
Extra bounce from Josh Hazlewood to dismiss Virat Kohli. pic.twitter.com/dQEG1rJSKA
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 22, 2024
A Troubling Trend for Kohli
This recent dismissal only adds to the pressure on Virat Kohli, who has struggled to regain his peak form in recent years. His performance in the previous series against New Zealand raised questions, and with this latest failure, the 35-year-old batter finds himself under scrutiny once again.
HERE ARE THE REACTIONS OF THE FANS:
Maine to pahele hi kaha tha…
Yeh tumhara King Virat Kohli hagne wala hai..#INDvAUS https://t.co/DujW575SrQ pic.twitter.com/H6cKnO2v2C— Ipul 😹 (@gujjuallrounder) November 22, 2024
Kohli fans : BGT me wo aa gya to
BGT me wo aa gya to
BGT me wo aa gya to…Meanwhile kohli : pic.twitter.com/Fq5FBbJdSE
— Ipul 😹 (@gujjuallrounder) November 18, 2024
Selectors to Virat Kohli after BGT. #INDvsAus pic.twitter.com/hYSjfXY8sV
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) November 22, 2024
India’s Shaky Start in the 1st Innings
Kohli’s dismissal came as part of a challenging day for the Indian batting lineup. India opted to bat first after Jasprit Bumrah, standing in as captain, made the bold decision on a wicket with significant bounce. However, the decision didn’t pay off immediately as India lost wickets early in their innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck by Mitchell Starc, and debutant Devdutt Padikkal soon followed suit, falling for a duck after facing 23 balls.
At the time of writing, India had already lost its fourth wicket, with KL Rahul departing for 26 runs. Rahul was dismissed after an easy catch behind the stumps off Australian keeper Alex Carey.
Fans React to Kohli’s Continued Struggles
The ongoing form slump of Virat Kohli has left fans divided, with some expressing disappointment over his inability to regain his best form, while others remain hopeful that he will bounce back in the later innings of the match. Social media has been flooded with reactions, as Kohli’s inconsistency continues to be a topic of discussion.
As India looks to regroup and recover from the early setbacks, the team’s ability to recover and post a competitive total will depend heavily on the remaining batsmen. Whether Kohli can turn things around remains to be seen, but his recent form will undoubtedly be a key point of focus throughout the series.