Virat Kohli’s much-anticipated ODI comeback may have ended in disappointment, but his popularity remains untarnished. As Team India arrived in Sydney on Friday for the third ODI against Australia, Kohli was greeted by a sea of fans at the airport. Dozens of supporters waited eagerly for a glimpse of their cricketing idol, with some fortunate enough to secure autographs and selfies.
True to form, Virat Kohli smiled and interacted warmly, taking time to acknowledge his supporters before heading out with the team. While Kohli’s consecutive ducks have raised eyebrows, Rohit Sharma’s gritty 73 off 97 balls in Adelaide provided a glimmer of resistance amid India’s struggles in the ongoing series.
For Virat Kohli, this rare slump marked the first instance in his illustrious career where he registered back-to-back ODI ducks — a statistical anomaly for a player of his calibre. It has inevitably sparked conversations about whether the modern great is nearing the latter stages of his ODI journey.
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Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli share a deep connection with Australian conditions — Rohit made his first tour during the 2007-08 CB Series, while Kohli’s breakthrough moment came in the 2011-12 tour, highlighted by a defiant century in Adelaide.
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With no ODI series scheduled in Australia for at least a couple of years, this tour could very well be the last time fans witness the duo wearing India’s blue jersey Down Under. As the series shifts to the Sydney Cricket Ground, the third ODI carries more significance than it appears.
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For Virat Kohli, it’s an opportunity to rediscover his rhythm — the silken cover drives, the assured footwork, and the elegant on-drives that once defined his dominance. For captain Gautam Gambhir and his team, it’s about avoiding a demoralising 0-3 whitewash. However, India’s record at the SCG remains a concern — just one win in their last five ODIs at the venue.
