Virat Kohli’s much-awaited return to the Indian team after seven months has not gone as expected, as the star batter has been dismissed for a duck in both of the first two ODIs against Australia. His rare failures at Adelaide, a ground where Kohli has enjoyed significant success in the past, sparked speculation about his future in international cricket. Adding fuel to the fire, the 34-year-old waved at the crowd while walking off after his dismissal, leading some to wonder if he was signaling his retirement.
However, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has dismissed such retirement rumors, offering strong support for Kohli. According to Gavaskar, one or two failures should not be blown out of proportion, especially when you look at Kohli’s remarkable record over the years. “Look, the man has more than 14,000 runs, 52 ODI centuries, and I think 32 Test centuries. He’s scored thousands of runs, so he’s allowed a couple of failures,” Gavaskar said in an interview with Sports Tak. He urged fans and pundits alike not to read too much into Kohli’s early struggles, suggesting that there’s “plenty of cricket left” for the seasoned batter.
Is Virat Kohli’s Career Coming to an End?
Kohli’s wave after his dismissal in Adelaide sparked speculation among fans that he might be contemplating retirement. Gavaskar, however, doesn’t believe there’s any reason to jump to conclusions. He explained that the wave was likely a simple acknowledgment of the standing ovation Kohli received from the crowd, including Australians who recognized his contribution to the game.
“What a wonderful ovation he got when he walked out to bat. It was truly heartwarming because the majority of the crowd were Australians. Yes, there were lots of Indians there, but most of the crowd were Australians, recognizing what he’s done for the game. That ovation was really, really special,” Gavaskar added.
Gavaskar also clarified that Kohli’s wave was directed towards the members’ stand, where former players, administrators, and other key figures were seated. “Where the players come down from is where the members’ stand is. I think he was just acknowledging the ovation they were giving him,” said the legendary cricketer.
Kohli’s Focus on Upcoming ODI in Sydney
Despite the disappointment in the first two matches, all eyes are now on the third ODI in Sydney, where Kohli will look to redeem himself. India is under pressure after losing both the previous games – the first by seven wickets in Perth and the second by three wickets in Adelaide. Fans are hoping Kohli can bounce back and help India salvage some pride in the final match of the series on October 25.
For now, the speculation around Kohli’s future seems premature. With more than 14,000 runs in ODIs and a solid track record, the cricketing world will be watching closely to see if the Indian superstar can find his form in Sydney and continue to shine in the international arena.
