India’s star batsman Virat Kohli is currently going through a difficult phase in the ODI series against Australia.
After being dismissed for ducks in two consecutive matches, all eyes are now on the third and final ODI in Sydney.
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has warned Kohli that if he doesn’t score runs in Sydney, he may face more criticism.
Questions on Kohli’s form
Kohli faced just 12 balls in the first two ODIs against Australia and returned to the pavilion without scoring either time. This is the first time in his ODI career that he has been dismissed for ducks twice in a row.
Kohli returned to international cricket after a seven-month break following the 2025 Champions Trophy, but his form has disappointed fans.
Ashwin said on his YouTube show, “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 why we lost. Before people start pointing fingers, I hope Virat scores the runs.”
Ashwin pointed out Kohli’s mistake
Ashwin also discussed the manner in which Kohli was dismissed. He said that Australian bowler Xavier Bartlett cleverly trapped Kohli.
Bartlett first bowled three outswingers and then suddenly bowled an inswinger, giving Kohli out LBW.
Ashwin said, “From what I saw today, I think Virat got out in the 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.”
Kohli misread the line of the ball and was caught by his foot in the line.
Ashwin also noted that Kohli has struggled with balls moving away from him in the past, but this time getting out to an inswinger is a new setback for him.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma showed his class in this series, scoring 73 runs off 97 balls even in difficult conditions.
On the other hand, Kohli’s form has raised questions, especially since he is now playing only in the ODI format. Everyone is expecting a big innings from Kohli in the Sydney ODI.
