Virat Kohli’s much-awaited ODI return may have turned into disappointment, but his failures haven’t affected his fan following. As Team India landed in Sydney on Friday for the third ODI against Australia,
the former India captain was mobbed by his fans at the airport.
Eager supporters thronged the arrival area for a glimpse of their hero, with some lucky enough to get autographs while others managed quick selfies. Kohli, as always, obliged with patience, trying to make as many fans happy as he could before heading out.
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Rohit Sharma’s gritty 73 off 97 balls may have come in a losing cause, but it offered a flicker of resistance amid India’s struggles in Australia. In contrast, Virat Kohli’s rare back-to-back ducks — the first time in his illustrious international career — have left fans wondering if the great man is nearing the twilight of his ODI journey.
Rohit first toured Australia during the 2007-08 CB Series, while Kohli’s maiden visit came in 2011-12, when he announced himself with a memorable Test century in Adelaide. With no ODI series scheduled in Australia for the next couple of years, this could well be the last time the two stalwarts don India’s blue jersey Down Under.
As the series heads to the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, the third and final ODI is far from a dead rubber. Fans will be eager to see Kohli rediscover his trademark fluency — the crisp cover drives, the effortless on-drives, and those majestic inside-out shots over extra cover that once defined his dominance.
For Gautam Gambhir and his men, the match carries weight beyond pride. A 0-3 whitewash would dent confidence, even with the next ODI World Cup still two years away. To add to the challenge, India’s record at the SCG doesn’t inspire much hope — just one win in their last five ODIs at the venue.
