Simon Katich, the former Australian batter, didn’t hold back when analyzing Virat Kohli’s disappointing performance during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). His sharp remark, “The king is dead,” came after Kohli’s cheap dismissal in India’s second innings on Day 5, where the star batter managed only 5 runs before edging a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc to the slips.
Chasing a daunting target of 340 runs, India faced a disastrous first session. Kohli, who came to the crease under immense pressure, was dismissed in the final over before lunch. His tentative approach and poor shot selection once again raised questions about his current form. This series has been far from memorable for Kohli, who began with a modest 5 runs in the series opener before showing a glimpse of brilliance with a century in Perth.
However, his subsequent scores—7, 11, 3, 36, and 5—highlight a steep decline. In four matches, Kohli has amassed just 167 runs, leaving his fans and team yearning for the consistency he once epitomized.
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Simon Katich’s critique didn’t stop there. “The king is dead. He trudges off. King Bumrah has taken the mantle now,” he remarked, emphasizing how Jasprit Bumrah has shouldered India’s hopes. Bumrah, with 30 wickets at a staggering average of 12.83 in the series, has been the standout performer, keeping India’s chances alive almost singlehandedly.
Kohli’s dismissal left India precariously placed at 33 for 3 by lunch, with their chances of saving the Test appearing slim. However, a resilient partnership between Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India a glimmer of hope. The duo’s 88-run stand showcased grit and determination, temporarily reviving the visitors’ chances. Yet, post-tea, India’s resistance crumbled dramatically. Pant, who had batted cautiously for 30 runs, fell to a rash shot, triggering a collapse.
India’s last seven wickets fell for just 34 runs in 20.3 overs. The final wicket came when Nathan Lyon dismissed Mohammed Siraj, sealing a comprehensive 184-run victory for Australia. The MCG crowd of over 74,000 erupted as the thrilling contest concluded.
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This loss is a bitter pill for India. A game that seemed within their grasp to draw slipped away, leaving them with soul-searching ahead of the series finale. For Kohli, the defeat underlines a personal nadir, while Bumrah emerges as the team’s new beacon of hope in testing times.
