Despite dominating in their respective departments, players fail miserably when they go head-to-head in sought-after matchups. For example, the Indian stalwart, Virat Kohli tends to thrash the fiery Australian pacer, Mitchell Starc, but on Friday, the latter had the last laugh for the first time in limited-overs cricket with a sharp inswinger.
Virat Kohli was in the limelight at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai when he walked into the middle at No. 3 to help India chase 189 against Australia in the first ODI on Friday. However, the talismanic Indian batter failed to extend his stay at the crease, as Mitchell Starc’s peach of delivery ensured he had to return to the pavilion after scoring 4 off nine balls.
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The fifth ball of the fifth over, bowled by Mitchell Starc, was a full inswinger that was nipped back. Kohli attempted his signature flick shot, but the fiery inswinger at the electrifying speed (143.9kph) did not allow him to make any connection with it.
The ball hit his pads, and the umpire took little time to raise his finger to let Virat Kohli know he needed to walk back into the dugout. Even Kohli knew he was gone, and due to that, he started walking towards the dressing tom without even thinking to challenge the decision.
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More significantly, this is the first time Starc has dismissed Kohli in ODIs, where the Indian batter averages 93 at a strike rate of 95.9. Even in T20Is, Starc is yet to dismiss Kohli (15 runs at 93.8), while in Tests, the Aussie paceman has had the last laugh thrice, but concedes 73 runs per wicket.
Here is the video of the dismissal of Virat Kohli:
Here is how the fans reacted to Mitchell Starc dismissing Virat Kohli for the first time in ODIs:
First time ever in white ball cricket, Mitchell Starc got out Virat Kohli. Kohli averages 93 against him. pic.twitter.com/emn1I1LJzD
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) March 17, 2023
https://twitter.com/Mastercricket7/status/1636704440567894017?s=20
First time ever in white ball cricket, Mitchell Starc got out Virat Kohli 💔
Me after seen Team India batting in 1st ODI be like 🥹🥹 #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/z0MjqaPsLR
— Ashutosh Srivastava 🇮🇳 (@sri_ashutosh08) March 17, 2023
https://twitter.com/cricscientist/status/1636704361719144448?s=20
Aaj match tha India ka , aur Kohli out bhi hogya , ek sath do do jhatkey 💀💀
— mukku 🐾 (@SuperV72828966) March 17, 2023
https://twitter.com/cric_shachin/status/1636704096374910976?s=20
First stime kohli got out to starc in ODIs
— Ash (@Ashesquee) March 17, 2023
Bass kohli ko out nh krna tha naa bhai😢
— Satyendra tiwari (@Satyendra18_) March 17, 2023