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Virat Kohli’s dismal tour of Australia hit another low on Day 5 of the Boxing Day Test, as his early dismissal left India in dire straits in their chase of 340 runs. Walking in at 25/2, Kohli was expected to anchor the innings, but his stay at the crease 🤪lasted just 29 balls.
Virat Kohli’s struggles continue as Mitchell Starc strikes in Boxing Day test
Starc, in scintillating form, lured Kohli with a full-length delivery outside off stump in the 26th over, tempting the star batter into an expansive drive. A thick edge flew to the slip cordon, where Usman Khawaja dived low to complete a sharp catch. Kohli’s departure for a mere 5 runs reduced India to 33-3, delivering a major blow to their already faltering hopes. Starc’s fiery spell, coupled with Kohli’s inability to resist playing outside the off-stump, highlighted the challenges faced by India on a deteriorating Melbourne track.
Kohli’s wicket came at a pivotal moment when India needed a steadying partnership to rebuild after the quick dismissals of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma. Known for his expertise in pressure-filled run chases, Kohli’s premature exiౠt was 🎐surprising and disappointing. With cracks opening up on the pitch and Starc exploiting them to perfection, Kohli’s lack of adaptation to the conditions stood out.
As Kohli trudged back to the pavilion, visibly frustrated, the cameras turned to Anushka Sharma, his wife, and a constant presence at his games. Her expressions of disappointment mirrored the sentiments of millions of Indian supporters worldwide. From nervous anticipation to visible anguish,🅠 her reactions captured the emotional weight of the moment.
Sharp criticism and online reactions
Kohli’s early exit invited a wave of reactions online, with critics and fans expressing their frustrations. Social media was abuzz with memes and sarcastic remarks, some mocking his recurring vulnerability to deliveries outside off stump. Others pointed to India’s sinking chances of achieving the record chase, attributing it to Kohli’s untimely dismissal. The scrutiny intensified as analysts dissected his approach, questioning whether the shot selection was a🦂ppropriate given the match situation.
Also READ: ‘You’re a burden to the team, happy retirement’: F🅰ans brutally roast Rohit Sharma following struggle in MCG Test
Kohli, once hailed as the epitome of composure in chases, found himself under the scanner for a lackluster performance that added to the team’s woes. At 33/3 at lunch and still needing over 300 runs, the pressure on the remaining Indian batters grew exponentially. Yashasvi Jaiswal, unbeaten at the lunch break, stood as the lone bright spot amidst the ruins o🅺f a top-order collapse.
Here’s how netizens reacted:
This s🐲o-called "ꦛ;King," according to his PR
Virat Kohli, has been getting out in the same way for the la🗹st 9 innings with no change and the same mistakes.
Virat Kohli, have some shame and consider a Happy Retirement
— Yanika_Lit (@LogicLitLatte)
Happy Retirement Virat Kohli 🙏
— 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 (@meri_mrziii)
YUP. HE’S FINISHED.
The great Kohli, the one we saw for all this years, finally bids a farewell to us. He might still hang around for a while, but he’ll officially nꦅever be the same Kohli again. Tears in my eyes as i write this.
— H. 🇮🇹 (@CrissysArc)
"HAPPY RETIREMENT VIRAT KOHLI"
– You won't be missed….
— Gillfied⁷ (@Was_Gill)
I don't have much energy left even to scold/shout about..
What else needs to be done? Even your ego, reputation is being dragged and you were booed out, doesn't it fuel enough for you..
Infuriating to see the man's game whom I adore is just being such trash these days
— Karthick Shivaraman™ (@iskarthi_)
Kohli reaches for a delivery on the 8th stump line again and perishes. I repeat that technical flaw has to be sorted out. Spending hours on the nets✱ practising with out rectifying the flaw💯 won’t help. Just my humble opinion.
— Prasanna (@prasannalara)
A grand season of 2-50s and a 100 in 2024 . Avg of 22 in test , 25 in t20 wc , 19 in 3 odis 👌never thought there would be a year worse than 2020-22 mid i♍n his career . One reason for him to not retire and have hope ?
Even home series have become an away𓂃 tour for him.
— “ (@KohlifiedGal)
Kohli saab, not again 😖
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar)
So Kohli scored 5 runs, 10 aggressions, 15 insta editsཧ in MSG test🔥
Academy is so grateful for you Kohli saab😍
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy)
Kohli of 2018 wouldn't even recognise this current version of himself. All the years of hardwork and legacy coming down to shreds like this. From being best in fab 4 to this. And cause of what ? Lack of self control and inability to work on past mistakes. Not done
— Yashvi (@BreatheKohli)