During the second Test match against Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series, Indian batsman Virat Kohli, who has excelled in all forms at Adelaide Oval, displayed a surprising amount of difficulty. In both innings, Kohli was unable to make an impression. Because it saw some of his best Test performances, including several hundreds, the Adelaide Oval has a particular place in Kohli’s career.
Expectations were high going into the game for Kohli to lead India’s innings, particularly in the pink-ball Test with the lights on. Mitchell Starc dismissed the right-hander for just seven runs off eight balls after he had strolled in early following KL Rahul’s departure in the first innings.
The pattern was the same in the second innings. The pace combination of Scott Boland and Pat Cummins put constant pressure on Kohli, who was at number four when India’s total was 42/2. After a few near misses, Kohli was finally forced to nick one to the wicketkeeper for 11 runs from 21 balls after Boland’s lines outside off-stump.
Check Virat Kohli dismissal here:
Virat Kohli Out After Scored 11 in 22 balls 😢
– Another Big Wicket For Boland ..#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/TNvHODHEHB
— Sourav Pathania (@BeingKOHLI4Life) December 7, 2024
Head’s 140-run knock had already put the hosts in a commanding position in the match. His innings, which included four sixes and 17 boundaries, helped the hosts to a commanding 337 in the first innings. Partnerships down the order and contributions from Marnus Labuschagne (64) left India with a 157-run deficit.
The bowlers from India, led by Mohammed Siraj (4/98) and Jasprit Bumrah (4/61) put up a strong fight to end Australia’s innings. India’s second innings was beset by early setbacks, behind by 157 runs. The dismissals of KL Rahul and Kohli compounded the visitors’ problems, as they finished Day 2 at 128/5, still 29 runs down. The hope for India now rests on a lower-order comeback, with Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy at the crease.
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