On Sunday, October 19, Virat Kohli did not have a particularly memorable first-day international match between Australia and India at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Kohli got out to Mitchell Starc after recording an eight-ball duck in his first appearance on the international scene since the 2025 Champions Trophy final in March.
A heavy outside edge that went to Cooper Connolly at backward point was all that the former India skipper could manage when he attempted to flirt with a delivery outside off-stump. The young Australian all-rounder made the right decision by making the catch, forcing Virat Kohli to return to the dressing room without opening his account.
Matthew Hayden, a former Australian opener, praised Virat Kohli skill and advised him not to be too hard on himself following the Perth defeat. The former cricket player turned commentator claimed that he gets quite destructive when he has clarity about his game.
“Virat Kohli has remarkable striking ability and contact points.
He regularly plays the ball on the rise and gets time early, so there’s little reason to doubt his strategy after amassing 14,000 runs in this style,” Hayden stated on Star Sports.
“I hope he stays away from self-doubt and overanalyzing, as they can result in errors. When he has clarity, conviction, and the ability to read the game—qualities his experience gives him—he is destructive,” he continued.
Even though Virat Kohli struggled in the first ODI, it must be acknowledged that the Australian team’s fast bowlers were benefiting from the surface’s new ball. Most batters found it tough to cope with the additional bounce available. Despite the rain, the Men in Blue only scored 136/9 in 26 overs.
Australia was aiming for the DLS-revised goal of 131. In the second innings, the pitch softened out significantly, and the home team won in 21.1 overs with seven wickets remaining. Australia led the three-match series 1-0 because to a strong 46* off 52 balls from captain Mitchell Marsh.
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