In the world of Indian cricket, the performance of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has become a significant point of discussion and concern over the past few weeks. As they approach the Champions Trophy, this could potentially be a turning point in both players’ careers. Fans are eagerly awaiting stellar performances from both, especially during the ongoing One Day International (ODI) series against England. While Rohit seems to be regaining his form, Kohli’s struggle continues, making his performance in the second ODI particularly scrutinized. In a surprising twist, England managed to unsettle him with an initial scare, ultimately leading to his dismissal.
Second ODI: A Crucial Turning Point
The second ODI between India and England took place on February 9, with excitement surrounding Kohli’s return after missing the first match due to a knee injury. Despite playing his first game back, Kohli’s history at Cuttack raised concerns. Unfortunately for Kohli, his return lived up to the fears, as he fell short once again in front of a high-pressure audience.
Kohli’s Underwhelming Performance
As captain Rohit reclaimed his form with a magnificent century, Kohli’s comeback proved lackluster. After the dismissal of Shubman Gill, Kohli arrived at the crease, hitting a beautiful on-drive for four runs early on. However, things took a swift turn when leg-spinner Adil Rashid bowled his second delivery. During this moment, a quick throw from England’s captain, Jos Buttler, accidentally struck Kohli, showcasing the unintentional mind games cricket sometimes involves.
The Dismissal: A Tale of Frustration
Despite the distraction, Kohli’s next move resulted in disappointment. He attempted to drive an enticing leg-break from Rashid, but the ball turned unexpectedly, nicking the edge of his bat and landing in the gloves of the wicketkeeper. Although the on-field umpire did not call him out, England’s review confirmed the edge, leading to Kohli’s dismissal for a mere five runs.
Virat Kohli vs. Adil Rashid: A Troubling Stat
This wasn’t the first instance of Kohli falling prey to Rashid’s exceptional spin. This dismissal marked the tenth occasion in international cricket where the skilled leg-spinner claimed Kohli’s wicket. Only Tim Southee and Josh Hazlewood have dismissed Kohli more frequently, with eleven dismissals each. In ODIs, Rashid has now claimed Kohli’s wicket four times, with Kohli averaging just 17 runs against him, illustrating a noticeable weakness. While this match may have slipped away, both Kohli and his fans will be hopeful for a significant comeback in the final match, akin to Rohit’s stellar performance.