After Virat Kohli registered two consecutive ducks against Australia in the ongoing ODI series, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan gave him some advice, telling him to be patient and trust his ability rather than trying to get runs.

Australia pacer Xavier Bartlett outwitted Kohli with deft variety in the recent second ODI in Adelaide, trapping him leg-before. Kohli's run-less spell was ended when Bartlett pulled one back sharply to hit him on the pads after he had set him up with some outswingers aimed for the outside off-stump channel.

On the other hand, he was caught at a backward point as he was drawn into a drive far away from his body by Mitchell Starc.

"Virat Kohli, two ducks in two matches—we have not seen it before. It could be because of pressure, rustiness, and everything. Whatever chatter is ongoing on social media about these two (Rohit and Virat), these two players mustn't be affected by it. No one will play if they don't perform. But they have done wonderful work for India. They need support and persistence from selectors till the runs and the right rhythm come. It would be really important. I know it is difficult since Yashasvi Jaiswal is on the sidelines.

It is not easy to play when the sword is hanging over you. I hope this is not in Virat's mind. In the first match, he got out to an outside off-stump delivery. He thought, with three slips in place, whether I would be given outside off-stump deliveries? The ball came in a bit, and he tried playing his favorite flick shot and got beaten there. The gap (between bat and pad) while playing flick was so big, I've never seen something like that from him,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

He also advised Virat Kohli not to get desperate for runs and be patient for that first single. He also appealed to the fans not to put more pressure on Kohli and also on Rohit Sharma, and to enjoy whatever cricket they play for India while hoping that they continue till the ICC World Cup 2027.

"How can Virat get out of it? Virat would want to make sure to get that single and get off strike. But he should not get desperate. I hope for that one single; he would not get desperate and stop enjoying his batting. He has to enjoy his batting. If he does that, he will get more time at the crease, and if he gets runs, he will not look back. ODI is his favorite format. I appeal to the fans: these two, if they play one year or two years more, play the World Cup, or don't play much—no matter how much cricket they play, it is time to enjoy their cricket because they have given Indian cricket so much. We would hope they play as much as possible. Hope Virat gets in form soon in the next match. He can struggle like Rohit did today, but he can also regain his rhythm and showcase his craft gradually. Don't get desperate for that single; runs will come," he added.

Former India skipper Rohit Sharma played a stellar 73-run knock off 97 balls, including seven boundaries and two maximums. India lost the second ODI and the series.

"Even though he struggled, this knock would give him more satisfaction than anything else. He was prepared for that struggle. He showcased his fitness too while surviving that run-out attempt. As of late, he has batted at a strike rate of 120-130, but his SR till 60 balls has been around 50. You could feel that a more free-flowing knock would have benefitted India, but this would give him a lot of satisfaction,” Pathan shared his views on Rohit’s knock in Adelaide.

The third and final ODI will be played in Sydney on October 25, Saturday.satisfaction.”

(ANI inputs)