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Virat Kohli, one of India’s most celebrated batters, found himself at the receiving end of fans’ wrath after yet another underwhelming performance in the ongoing Sydney Test against Australia. The Indian veteran’s dismissal, a carbon copy of his previous failures, has sparked fresh calls for his retirement.
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Kohli’s Frustrating Dismissal
In the first innings, Kohli faced 69 balls for his painstaking 17 runs—an innings devoid of a single boundary. Displaying initial discipline on a tricky surface, the 36-year-old managed to keep Australia’s bowlers at bay until the 32nd over, when Scott Boland lured him into chasing an angling delivery outside off stump.
Kohli’s loose shot resulted in a simple catch to debutant Beau Webster at third slip. This marked the seventh time in the series that Kohli had fallen victim to deliveries outside off stump, with Boland claiming his wicket on four occasions.
Fans Lose Patience
The recurring nature of Kohli’s dismissals has left Indian fans frustrated. Many took to social media to vent their anger, accusing the star batter of putting his ego above the team’s needs.
- “Ego bigger than the team,” one fan wrote, criticizing Kohli for repeating the same mistakes.
- Another stated, “Kohli’s time is up. He’s no longer the player he once was.”
Head Coach Gambhir’s Tough Decisions
Under the leadership of head coach Gautam Gambhir, Team India has already seen bold decisions, including the axing of Rohit Sharma earlier in the series. Fans are now demanding a similar move for Kohli, urging selectors to look beyond the once-dominant batter.
Kohli has struggled throughout the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the exception of a century in the Perth Test. However, his inability to adapt and correct his mistakes has raised concerns about his place in the Test squad.
What’s Next for Kohli?
Kohli still has one more innings to redeem himself in the Sydney Test, but the pressure is mounting. With India trailing in the series and a spot in the 2025 World Test Championship final at stake, Kohli’s form—or lack thereof—could play a significant role in determining his future in red-ball cricket.
Whether this is the end of the road for Kohli in Tests or just a temporary slump remains to be seen, but for now, the calls for his retirement are louder than ever.
