WATCH: Virat Kohli falls to usual fifth wicket line with a half-hearted shot

Before the Day-Night Test in Adelaide, India’s star batsman Virat Kohli appeared to be in outstanding form. Despite having a stellar stadium record, he struggled to get going against Australia in the second Test match. Managing balls pitched in the fifth-wicket line has been a challenge for cricket players in recent years, and the Adelaide Test was no exception. Before being defeated by Mitchell Starc in the game’s twenty-first over, the 36-year-old got off to a strong start, hitting a boundary to Scott Boland.

At first, it appeared if Virat Kohli was trying to leave the delivery, but he changed his mind while the ball was in motion.

The India international attempted to play a late drive, but at the last second, he changed his mind once more and attempted to leave. If he had left the ball, it would have carried to the keeper. But he didn’t do it right away since the ball hit his bat before then and went to Steve Smith, who was in the second slip.

Watch the video below: 

Mitchell Starc sends Virat Kohli packing!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/2AzNllS7xT

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2024

Then, before returning to the pavilion, Kohli surveyed the field and the bat’s toe end. It was seven runs before he left. While Starc had a great day, they dismissed Kohli after taking the wickets of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Shortly thereafter, Shubman Gill was removed for 31 runs by Scott Boland on the wicket. India’s score was then limited at 81/4.

India’s comeback in Adelaide will be greatly aided by captain Rohit Sharma, who was dropped to number six. He will be crucial to the visitors’ success in the first innings because of his combination with Rishabh Pant. Although the team had a rough start, Rahul and Gill developed a crucial alliance. During the final 20 minutes of the first session, when India lost three rapid wickets, Australia dominated.