Kohli scored back-to-back ducks in the ongoing ODI series against Australia.
Virat Kohli’s second successive duck in the ongoing India versus Australia ODI series and his gesture towards the Adelaide crowd while walking back to the dressing room have once again sparked retirement rumours.
Having retired from T20Is and Tests, Kohli has become one-format player. The first ODI in Perth on Sunday (October 19) marked his return to international cricket for the first time since March this year.
On his much-anticipated comeback, Kohli bagged an eight-ball duck. He perished against Mitchell Starc while chasing a big drive away from his body.
On Thursday (October 23), the Indian stalwart was trapped in front of the wicket for a four-ball duck by Xavier Bartlett. This is the first time Kohli has been dismissed for back-to-back ducks in ODIs.
While walking back to the pavilion, Virat Kohli acknowledged the ovation from fans at the stands by raising his gloves, a gesture that has since fuelled much conjecture.
The moment sparked debate about whether Kohli was bidding farewell to Adelaide Oval – the venue where he has scored five international centuries. There were also speculations that the 36-year-old might be contemplating retirement at the end of the ongoing series in Australia.
However, former India opener Aakash Chopra dismissed with such speculation, suggesting instead that Kohli’s gesture was an emotional tribute to the iconic ground.
“So there’s a ‘no good in goodbye’. Perhaps he did say goodbye to Adelaide, and it’s best not to read too much into it. Adelaide itself gives him this feeling — he’s very aware of it. He has expressed many times that this place feels like home; though away from home, it feels like home when he’s here. As an Indian cricketer, the opportunity to return to Adelaide may be uncertain — that’s a long way off,” Chopra said while speaking on Star Sports.
“It’s important to remember that we are all remembered for how we lived, not how we died. The memories Kohli will take from this ground are of those runs he scored — nearly 1,000 of them. He has played wonderfully here and brought great honour to the Adelaide Oval,” he added.
Coming to the Adelaide ODI, India lost the match by two wickets to concede an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The third ODI between two teams will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday (October 25).