IND vs AUS: Virat Kohli's Consecutive Ducks Raise Questions as He Falls for Zero for First Time in Adelaide

In a surprising turn of events, star batsman Virat Kohli failed to open his account in the second ODI between India and Australia in Adelaide. This follows his duck in the first ODI in Perth, making it two consecutive zeroes for the former captain. What makes this dismissal particularly noteworthy is that it's the first time Kohli has been out for zero in an international match at Adelaide Oval, a venue where he boasts an exceptional record.

Second Consecutive Duck

Facing just 4 balls, Virat Kohli was dismissed LBW by Xavier Bartlett in the Adelaide match. This comes after he was out for a duck off 8 balls in the series opener in Perth, while two consecutive ducks are an unusual occurrence for a batsman of Kohli's caliber, prompting widespread discussion among cricket fans and experts.

First-Ever Failure on October 23

Adelaide has historically been a happy hunting ground for Virat Kohli. Across 13 international matches at this venue, he has amassed 975 runs at an average of 60. 93, including 5 centuries. In ODIs specifically, he has scored 244 runs in 4 matches at an average of 61, with 2 centuries. His dismissal for zero here is a significant deviation from his stellar past performances. Adding to the unusual statistics, this is also the first time Virat Kohli has been dismissed for a duck on October 23. In his previous 4 matches played on this date, he had recorded two half-centuries and a century, while in one match, he didn't get a chance to bat.

Fueling Retirement Speculations

These back-to-back ducks against Australia have reignited questions about Virat Kohli's career trajectory. Amidst rumors of his T20I retirement and recent reports about potentially stepping away from Test cricket before the England tour, his current form in ODIs has further fueled speculations about his future in the format. While no official confirmation exists, his performance certainly adds weight to ongoing discussions about his long-term career plans.