Leg-spinner Adam Zampa had a great reason to celebrate after 2019 World Cup disappointment, as he took the crucial wicket of Virat Kohli to contribute his share in Australia’s massive 10-wicket win over India in the opening One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday (January 14).
It was for the fourth time when the dashing right-hander became Zampa’s victim after India skipper was caught by the spinner off his own bowling, as he had to leave the field after scoring just 16 runs batting at No. 4 in the first ODI against Australia.
Zampa has bowled a total of 97 balls to Kohli in ODIs so far, giving away 126 runs and getting him out 4 times. He has also dismissed the 30-year-old batsman twice in T20Is.
Following the wicket, former Australia captain Steve Waugh criticized Kohli for disrespecting the Aussie bowler, saying he paid the price for not "showing Zampa enough respect" on commentary for Fox Cricket on Tuesday.
Waugh said: “I just don’t think he’s showing Zampa enough respect and he paid the price.”
Meanwhile, Kohli had praised the Australian spinner ahead of the first ODI, adding: “ He was probably one bowler, who had more belief than others (on the 2019 tour) I felt.”
He added, “Throughout the game, even when he was hit for boundaries, he kept coming at the batsmen and try and get them out, which I think is important for a wrist-spinner. And his mindset was a stand out for them in the last series. He's still skillful enough to make breakthroughs also, so we have to be respectful but at the same time have belief in our game to be able to play well against them.”
Noteworthy, India and Australia will next face each other in the second ODI in Rajkot on January 17.
(With India Today Inputs)
