Virat Kohli is yet to score a run in the ongoing ODI series in Australia.
Former India off-spinner R. Ashwin expressed hope that Virat Kohli will score runs in India's third and final ODI against Australia in Sydney. Ashwin said that if Kohli fails to get going on Saturday, critics will be ready to point fingers at him, and he does not want to see his former teammate in such a scenario.
Virat Kohli's much-anticipated return to international cricket did not go as planned. In two matches, the former skipper had two ducks and failed to trouble the scoring in Perth and Adelaide. Kohli has faced only 12 deliveries in the series, raising questions about his future in ODIs, the only format he plays since retiring from Tests and T20Is.
"I really hope he comes back and gets a score in Sydney. What happened to Rohit today (Thursday)? Virat Kohli needs it in Sydney because, in India, we don't discuss why we lost; more often, we discuss because of whom we lost. Before people start pointing fingers, I hope Virat scores the runs," Ashwin said on his YouTube show.
Kohli and Rohit Sharma returned to international cricket after a six-month absence, raising concerns about their future in ODIs and if they can maintain their high-level performance ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
While both Rohit and Kohli struggled in the series opener in Perth, Rohit overcame difficult circumstances in Adelaide and scored 73 off 97 deliveries.
Xavier Bartlett dismissed Kohli with a delivery that seamed into the right-hander and smacked his pads after delivering three consecutive outswingers. Kohli positioned his foot across the line, expecting another away delivery, and was unable to protect it.
In the first ODI in Perth, Mitchell Starc had exploited Kohli’s weakness outside off stump, getting him to drive and getting him out caught at backward point.
Ashwin said that getting out to both outgoing and incoming deliveries will weigh on Kohli's mind and that the battle in Sydney will test his mental strength.
"From what I saw today, I think Virat got out in a manner that Rohit used to get out. But Rohit survived that initial, tough phase with a bit of luck. He looked very good after the early phase. I want to talk a bit about Virat's dismissal. Xavier Bartlett is someone who can bowl outswing at 130-135 kph. After bowling the outswingers, he set Kohli up nicely.
Commentators said the ball seemed in after pitching. Yes, it did. But the line itself was around the off-stump and middle-stump. Kohli put his leg across the line. Yes, Virat was nicking deliveries outside off-stump and getting dismissed. But it's been a long time since I have seen him get out in this manner, failing to connect with a delivery that seemed in,” Ashwin added.
"In the first ODI, he was dismissed by Mitchell Starc while chasing a wide delivery. In the second ODI, he was out to a delivery that nipped in. I think Abhishek Nayar, who was on air, said mid-match that Bartlett bowled a good delivery and Virat Kohli will look at the replays and acknowledge it.
"But I think it will play on his mind. In the first match, he played away from the body; his contact point was in front of the body, and the weight transfer did not happen properly. Usually, Rohit has gotten out like this to Rabada in South Africa and Cummins in Australia. They keep taking the ball away and then bring one in. Virat hasn't had a lot of dismissals like that. This will play on his mind," Ashwin analyzed Kohli’s dismissals in the ODI series.
India will also be looking to avoid a series whitewash in Australia, in Shubman Gill’s maiden stint as ODI captain. The third and final ODI will be played in Sydney on Saturday, October 25.