The spotlight was on Virat Kohli as he strode into the middle at No. 3 during the first ODI against Australia on Friday, played at the Wankhede Stadium. India was chasing a target of 189, and Kohli was expected to play a pivotal role in the team’s pursuit.
Unfortunately, his innings was brief as he fell victim to a brilliant delivery from Mitchell Starc, which resulted in him scoring just four runs off nine balls before he had to make his way back to the pavilion.
During the fifth over of the match, Mitchell Starc bowled a full inswinger that nipped back at an electrifying speed of 143.9kph. Virat Kohli attempted to flick it, but the pace of the ball proved too much for him, and it hit his pads instead.
The umpire took a moment to consider before signaling that Kohli was out. Kohli himself seemed aware that he was dismissed and began to walk off the field without considering a challenge to the decision.
Of particular note is that this is the first occasion on which Mitchell Starc has dismissed Virat Kohli in ODIs. Prior to this, Kohli held a batting average of 93 at a strike rate of 95.9 against the Australian bowler in this format.
In T20Is, Kohli remains unbeaten by Starc, having scored 15 runs at a strike rate of 93.8. However, in Tests, Starc has dismissed Kohli on three occasions, but has conceded an average of 73 runs per wicket.
