The New Year Test between India and Australia got underway on January 3 at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). It is a do-or-die encounter for Team India, with Australia already taking a 2-1 lead in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Well, the ground, the captain, and even the year have changed, but Virat Kohli's old woes remain the same, with the former Indian captain left one back and all disappointed with his batting in the ongoing fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney.
Virat Kohli's woes have resurfaced in Sydney, and fans are demanding his retirement
On the third ball of the 32nd over, Scott Boland got the better of India's best bowler as Beau Webster caught him at third slip. Scott Boland continued to test Kohli outside off stump and eventually got the edge. The Australian sent it at 135.8kph, straight outside and back, and Virat Kohli beat him off the crease to counter the movement, stabbing him a little.
Also Read: Virat Kohli to become India's Test captain again? The reports make shocking claims
The ball took the edge and flew to Beau Webster, who dove to his left to make a sharp catch. Kohli could not ease his hands enough, and India are now in serious trouble with four wickets down for just 72. Kohli had left similar deliveries earlier, but he could not control his intent and lost his wicket, leaving for just 17. 69 balls at SCG.
After yet another failed show in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, fans have gone ballistic at Virat Kohli for coming out in the same style. Fans started sharing Virat Kohli's Thank You posts, demanding his retirement from Test cricket. Many have described him as a stupid batsman.
Here's how fans reacted to Virat Kohli's failure at the SCG here:
Stupid stupid performance from the hitter.
Every time the ball comes outside the off stump. Virat Kohli is ready to play 💔#ViratKohli𓃵 #ViratKohli #Virat #Kohli#Australia #INDvsAUS #Shockley#bordergavaskartrophy2024 pic.twitter.com/ECTv8LwP8C
– Pooja Saini (@poojasaini20440) January 3, 2025
Once again a stupid performance by the Indian batsman #ViratKohli like #Shockley Every time the same error 🥵
Rohit is not out 💔#INDvsAUS
Stupid stupid stupid pic.twitter.com/Vy8O88FSeD– Mr. DK (@Dk_Singh31) January 3, 2025
Virat Kohli should get this treatment from Gambhir 😭🫠 #INDvsAUS #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/G8k1arnLvl
– Sadiq Kohli Fan ❤️ 💚 (@KingEra_18) January 3, 2025
Stupid stupid stupid
Trying different techniques to come out with the same style…Thank you Virat Kohli for your services..Now please retire
#Shockley #retirement #ViratKohli#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/7sr4EGVrnN– Out of context (@Hydrogensharma) January 3, 2025
The Golden Duck escaped due to the third umpire
It has survived many interior ledges
I danced on the field
I came out the same way after eating 69 balls
Still playing for the past 5 years due to the 4 year peak.
MDC CHOKLI has retired #INDvsAUS #Australia #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/zZY0NSqEM5– Professor Cricket 45 (@209_mohali) January 3, 2025
He constantly tries to play offside and ends up conceding wickets. He is past the end stage now, and should retire safely
MDC CHOKLI has retired#ViratKohli #Australia #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/27yP4earAf
– Mamta Jaipal (@ImMD45) January 3, 2025
This is the only crime I commit every time.
I'm Kohli, I play off-ball.#ViratKohli #INDvsAUS #HONESTvsIND pic.twitter.com/t35cWhsdsw– Rashtra (@ImrashtRm) January 3, 2025
Virat seems to have adopted the 'fuck' style, with no signs of reforming. It's disappointing to see such a great player fall into the same trap over and over again. #Australia #ViratKohli
– Explorer (@explorer732) January 3, 2025
Continuing in the public interest, it's your turn next!
Kohli bhai sir, how much should I perform?#ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/K6EOuo4nKt– Aary (@aary_joshi03) January 3, 2025
Virat Kohli's love affair continues🤝 coming off the stumps.
What kind of obsession is this?#ViratKohli𓃵 #INDvsAUS #INDvAUS #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/F7zj9bV1nI— Discussion Club (@thesumitpodcast) January 3, 2025
#ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/fV11Wx9ik2
— Aditya Mall Rajput 🇮🇳 (@aditya_vishen__) January 3, 2025
And it continues….a never-ending story 🥹#ViratKohli #INDvsAUS #INDvsAUST test pic.twitter.com/49cJd94TG7
– Hindu Shiva – Shiva Tiwari (@HinduShiva1) January 3, 2025
Kohli should have been dropped and Rohit should have been asked to complete the series.
– Vayumindan (@bystanderever) January 3, 2025
Steve Smith's low catch on Virat Kohli raises controversy
Meanwhile, Steve Smith was quite confident that he had caught Virat Kohli cleanly on the first day of the ongoing New Year's Test in Sydney, but was disappointed when the decision did not go his way. The incident occurred in the eighth over after India elected to bat.
The dashing right-hander, facing his first delivery, edged Scott Boland's delivery to second slip. Steve Smith slid low to his right and appeared to catch the ball close to the ground before throwing it towards Marnus Labuschagne in the gully, who completed the catch.
Also Read: Will Rohit Sharma announce his retirement after the Sydney Test? Report reveals the truth
However, the field umpires decided to review the catch. Television umpire Joel Wilson carefully examined the footage and ruled Kohli off the field, as the ball briefly touched the ground before being picked up by Smith. However, he is 100% sure that the catch was correct.
Asked if he had put his hand under the ball, Steve Smith told Fox Sports on his lunch break: “100%. There's no denying that at all, 100%. But the referee made the decision. We'll move on.”
Steve Smith's fingers are clearly under the ball: Ricky Ponting
Even former Australia captain Ricky Ponting disagreed with the third umpire's decision to give a lifeline to Kohli which he later squandered in the innings at the SCG.
“For me, if (the ball) had come out of (Smith's) hand, he wouldn't have been able to grab it,” Ricky Ponting said on air while commentating on 7Cricket. “That's what I'm saying; I think his fingers are clearly under the ball…look where his index finger is.” There; still under the ball.”
