Riding on a bit of luck, Kohli was bowled by a full-toss by New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner on the second day of the second Test cricket match in Pune.
Out of character when it comes to shot selection, Kohli fell to Santner’s craft, and fans and cricket critics have been left stunned.
This was in the 24th over when Santner bowled a full-toss and lined it up on the on-side field.
Kohli moved across to hit the ball towards mid-wicket but completely missed the ball, and then the ball went on to hit the middle and leg stumps.
Kohli was left stunned and got out for 1 run of 9 balls.
When replay Was brought back on the big screen, the commentators pointed out that this could be the most un- Kohli like dismissal.
The internet erupted with comments from fans who referred to the moment as the “worst shot of the series, and reflected the feeling of millions across the nation.
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Disappointment against spin continues
Kohli has a poor record against spin bowlers, and in the current tour, Kohli once again failed against them.
This dismissal also proves that Kohli has been struggling against spinners, especially on those pitches on Asian soil.
In the last 26 innings, Kohli has been caught or bowled 21 times against spinners, and out of them against left-arm bowlers, he has been gotten out 10 times.
In total, he has scored 606 runs, his average being below the above said average of 33.42, which he managed to achieve in the previous phase.
Bail fans have remarked that he has a particular weakness in spin bowling, especially in home conditions, which made his dismissal today seem a lot more surprising.
India in Trouble as Santner and Phillips Bring Misery on Indians
Kohli’s dismissal was one amongst the many others on what turned out to be a difficult session for the Indians. Santner and Glenn Phillips set New Zealand on top in the first session with the wickets of both openers and five others between them.
The hosts were annihilated for a struggling 107/7 at lunch, still 152 runs behind New Zealand.
Santner bowled the ball that Barber trapped Gill LBW for 30, and then he got the big fish Kohli, and then Sarfaraz Khan and R Ashwin in the space of six overs.
Phillip stemmed the rot by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal for 30 and then uprooting Rishabh Pant’s wickets for 18.
While there is Jadeja and Sundar left for the batting, India has been put into a difficult position against a very strong NZ bowling lineup.
In the period of the innings, the audience expects a fight back to challenge Kiwi dominance over the game.
References:
NDTVSports.com
Hindustantimes.com