It was an uncharacteristically quiet outing for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the opening ODI against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Both failed to make an impact, scoring 0 and 8 respectively, as India fell short in the series opener on October 19. With the second match set to take place at the Adelaide Oval on October 23, the two senior batters will be keen to turn things around and lead India’s fightback.
Adelaide has always held a special place in Kohli’s career. The last time India played a one-day game there, back in January 2019, he produced a brilliant century, 104 runs in a tense chase of 299 against Australia. It was a knock that combined patience and flair, guiding India to victory at one of the most iconic cricket venues in the world. Even in India’s previous ODI at the same ground, Kohli had scored another hundred, 107 against Pakistan under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.
With such memories attached to the venue, expectations from Virat Kohli will once again be high. Fans hope that his comfort and past success in Adelaide can help India level the series. Rohit too will be eager to find form after a rare failure in Perth. As India’s most experienced batters, both will know that their contributions could define the outcome of this crucial match.
Despite his impressive record in Adelaide, Virat Kohli is not India’s top scorer in ODIs at the venue. That honour belongs to his former captain and long-time teammate MS Dhoni who accumulated 262 runs in six matches between 2008 and 2019. Kohli follows closely with 244 runs from four games. While Kohli has two centuries to his name at the ground, Dhoni crossed fifty-run mark three times and holds records for the best batting average, strike rate and most sixes by an Indian in Adelaide ODIs.
However, when it comes to overall performances across formats, no Indian has dominated Adelaide like Virat Kohli. In 12 matches and 17 innings at the venue, he has amassed 975 runs, including five centuries and four half-centuries. It was also here, in December 2014, that Kohli began his journey as India’s Test captain, a moment that marked the start of a new era in his career.
As India gear up for the second ODI, all eyes will be on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to set the tone. Adelaide has often brought out the best in Kohli and both he and Rohit will be determined to ensure that this time, it does the same once again.
All the best Indian team!
