Virat Kohli was dismissed cheaply by Mitchell Starc as Indian batting were in big trouble on Day 1 of their ‘Pink Ball’ Test at the Adelaide Oval.
Former India captain Virat Kohli and his weakness outside the off-stump continued to haunt him in the ‘Pink Ball’ Test between India and Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Friday. On Day 1 of the 2nd Test of the five-match series, Australia have the upper hand after Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first. After a fine start with KL Rahul and Shubman Gill repairing the early damage, Mitchell Starc rocked the Indian batting especially dismissing in-form Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Kohli cheaply.
Kohli, who scored his 30th Test century in the second innings of the first Test at Perth last month, was dismissed for just 7 falling embarrassingly to Starc short-delivery. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter once again poked at a short delivery outside his off-stump to give an easy catch at slips as India lost three quick wickets and ended the first session with 4 wickets down for 82.
WATCH Virat Kohli cheap dismissal off Mitchell Starc HERE…
Mitchell Starc sends Virat Kohli packing!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/2AzNllS7xT
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2024
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar slammed Kohli for this dismissal and for failing to learn from his errors. “One important reason why Virat’s average has slipped to 48 now, is the unfortunate weakness outside off. But more crucially his adamance to not try another way to tackle it,” Manjrekar tweeted.
One important reason why Virat’s average has slipped to 48 now, is the unfortunate weakness outside off. But more crucially his adamance to not try another way to tackle it.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 6, 2024
Meanwhile, a fiery spell from Starc stopped India in their tracks, reducing them to 82 for 4 at the end of first session on Day 1. After electing to bat first, India was off to a poor start as opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was trapped leg-before-wicket plumb on the first ball of the innings. India was 0/1.
Following that, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul was the pair at the crease which had to see off the new, shiny, pink-ball. On his return from thumb injury, Gill made his attacking intentions clear with two classy boundaries against Mitchell Starc, who had just taken Jaiswal’s wicket.
Rahul’s stay at the crease was ended by Starc with a fine catch from Nathan McSweeney at gully. KL was gone for 37 in 64 balls, with six fours. India was 69/2 in 18.4 overs. Kohli was also looking good, but was caught in slips by Steve Smith, with Starc getting him for just seven runs. India was 77 for 3 in 20.1 overs.
India’s downfall continued, with Gill being trapped lbw by Boland for 31 in 51 balls, with five fours. India was 81 for 4 in 21.1 overs.
