In the intense cricketing saga of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the second Test in Adelaide has unfolded with moments of brilliance and unexpected turns. Virat Kohli, fresh off a remarkable century in the last Test—his 81st in the format—faced a stark contrast in his fortunes in this match. After scoring just 7 runs in the first innings, where Mitchell Starc dominated with 6 wickets, Kohli’s dismissal for 11 in the second innings has sparked a wave of reactions on X (formerly Twitter), reflecting the fans’ and analysts’ high expectations from one of cricket’s greatest modern players.
India, having been bowled out for 180 in their first innings, found themselves in a challenging position. The pressure was palpable, not just for the team but especially for Virat Kohli, who is often seen as the linchpin of India’s batting lineup. His early departure in the second innings, caught safely by Alex Carey off Scott Boland’s bowling, was a moment that encapsulated the unpredictable nature of cricket. Kohli’s innings ended with a sense of what could have been, especially after his commanding performance in the previous Test.
Why you not making flat pitch for my Idol Virat Kohli 😡
I’m angry on Australia cricket 😡 pic.twitter.com/CJiiHAFSGR
— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) December 7, 2024
Virat Kohli last 11 innings in test cricket under Captain Rohit Sharma :-
– 11 (today)
– 7
– 1
– 17
– 1
– 70
– 0
– 1
– 24
– 6
– 17
Average 13.96Retire ho ja MCD Chokli, jab nahi khela ja raha @imVkohli. pic.twitter.com/8xz5O88pGT
— 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝕏 (@ImRobert64) December 7, 2024
#INDvsAUS
Virat Kohli supremacy 🗿 pic.twitter.com/ckif8KGMCQ— theboysthing (@theboysthing07) December 6, 2024
Virat Kohli: *Leaves the ball outside off*
Entire India: pic.twitter.com/QQS8M0yvPs
— Rajabets 🇮🇳👑 (@rajabetsindia) December 7, 2024
Fans: You should not play outside off deliveries initially
Virat Kohli: pic.twitter.com/v6FDzv3slW
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) December 7, 2024
Boland totally owned Virat Kohli during his stay at the crease 🤯 pic.twitter.com/iieYSx6dJb
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) December 7, 2024
Once I tweeted that if Sachin Tendulkar had played in today’s era, he might not have been as successful as Virat Kohli.
I apologize for that tweet. pic.twitter.com/mO04PVVxLM
— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) December 7, 2024
Rohit is good in white ball as a captain but poor in Red ball
Vice versa in case of Virat Kohli #facts— वेधा बेताल (@vedhabetaal) December 7, 2024
Virat Kohli 👑 continues his amazing form in 2024:
46, 12, 29, 0, 1, 4, 0, 24, 37, 0, 9, 𝟳𝟲, 24, 14, 20, 6, 17, 47, 29*, 0, 𝟳𝟬, 1, 17, 4, 1, 5, 𝟭𝟬𝟬*, 7, 11 #INDvsAUS #BGT https://t.co/wHy0L6pbUa— Mihir Jha (@MihirkJha) December 7, 2024
Virat Kohli never scored crucial runs when the team needed him, now he only scores runs in pressure-free matches and on flat pitches.🥺💔 #INDvAUS
Sorry to say but : No flat track, No pressure free match, No runs for Virat😖 pic.twitter.com/q9L7DtMZh6
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) December 7, 2024
The reactions on X were a mix of disappointment, support, and analysis. Many fans expressed their frustration, not just at the score but at the timing of Kohli’s dismissal, recognizing how crucial his presence at the crease is for India’s hopes. There was an underlying sentiment that Kohli’s form, despite his century in the last match, remains under scrutiny, with each innings carrying the weight of expectations.
Discussions also veered towards the tactical aspect of the game. Some fans and experts debated whether Kohli’s approach needed recalibration to counter the Australian bowling attack more effectively, especially on a pitch that seemed to offer little comfort to the batsmen. The dismissal was seen by some as a reflection of the challenges of batting in Australia, where the conditions often favor the bowlers, and a testament to Boland’s skill in exploiting these conditions.
Moreover, there was a notable conversation around the psychological impact of such dismissals on a player like Virat Kohli, who has had his share of ups and downs in recent years but has always bounced back with resilience. The narrative around Kohli often swings between his ability to dominate and the scrutiny he faces when he doesn’t meet the high benchmarks set by his own standards.
As the match continues, Kohli’s dismissal in the second innings adds another layer to the series’ narrative, one that speaks to the fleeting nature of form in cricket. It’s a reminder that even the best can falter, but it’s their response to these moments that defines their legacy. For India, the task now is not just about compensating for Kohli’s absence but also about rallying together to put up a fight in what has become a crucial juncture in the series.
The closing moments of this Test will reveal much about India’s character and strategy moving forward. For Kohli, each innings is an opportunity to reaffirm his class, but this match in Adelaide has shown that cricket, in its essence, remains an unpredictable game where every ball can change the narrative. As the cricketing world watches on, the reactions on X are just a microcosm of the larger conversation around one of the sport’s most celebrated figures.