IND vs AUS: Is Virat Kohli's Last Shot at Redemption in Sydney? 'King' Faces Stiff Challenge

It was a day to forget for Virat Kohli in Adelaide after the 36-year-old fell for a second consecutive duck. In the previous ODI in Perth, Kohli had lasted eight balls without troubling the scorers. This time Australia sent him packing for half the number of those deliveries. So the man has scored no runs in a series that India have already lost with one game left.

India Lose ODI Series to Australia

Australia won the first ODI by seven wickets and squeezed home with two wickets and 22 balls to spare in the second to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead. Rohit Sharma (73) and Shreyas Iyer (61) did their part but it was not enough. The third and final ODI will be played in Sydney on October 25.

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Virat Kohli Nearing the End of His Playing Days?

Kohli’s wave to the Adelaide crowd as he walked back to the pavilion added more fuel to the fire of his retirement. Already there was talk of the Australia series being his farewell. It was his international comeback after seven months and the lack of game time is showing as he made consecutive ducks for the first time in his career. Sydney could be his final chance to redeem himself.

It’s Do-Or-Die for Virat Kohli in Sydney

But ‘King’ faces a stiff challenge. Form and lack of match practice are not in his favour. Yes, he did play in the IPL but even that ended more than four-and-a-half months ago. For Kohli, ODI retirement means an international farewell as he quit Tests earlier this year and left T20Is over a year ago. If he fails in Sydney, a tough call may be made and he might be left out of the ODI series vs South Africa at home that begins on November 30. Should that happen, then the odds of returning into the side are next to nothing.

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Will Virat Kohli Play the 2027 ODI World Cup?

On the other hand, should he produce a good knock, it might delay the process of his ouster from the side. If he is serious about being around till the 2027 ODI World Cup, he needs to show it with the bat. If India win the match and avoid a whitewash thanks to Kohli, it will be a bonus. The man is in the twilight of his career having played for 17 years as he closes in on his 37th birthday. He certainly will want to keep going for as long as he can.

Virat Kohli’s Amazing ODI Stats

The numbers that Kohli has in ODIs are to die for. He’s played 304 games and batted 292 times with 45 unbeaten knocks. Add to that 14,181 runs to his name along with 51 100s and 74 50s with a top score of 183. His strike rate 93.27 and average of 57.41 prove he loves to score quickly and consistently. Indian fans, Team India and Kohli himself will hope for a special knock in Sydney. It is certainly his last appearance in Australia and he will want to end things on a high. Can he? Of course! Will he? That remains to be seen.