"He has no motivation left to play cricket" - Fans react as Virat Kohli is dismissed cheaply on Day 3 of IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
Star Team India batter Virat Kohli has come under the scanner following his twin failures in the recently concluded Pune Test against New Zealand. The former Men in Blue captain registered scores of 1 and 17 in the fixture as the hosts suffered a heartbreaking 113-run defeat on Saturday, October 26.
With India required to chase a mammoth 359-run target in the fourth innings, the onus was on Kohli to deliver. However, the right-handed batter perished after a 17-run knock.
An arm ball from Mitchell Santner hit Kohli's back pad. The on-field umpire adjudged it LBW. While the veteran batter opted for a review, the ball-tracking showed that the ball would have clipped the leg stumps and the decision was upheld due to the umpire's call.
Several fans took to social media, reacting to Kohli's dismissal. While some suggested that the seasoned campaigner losing his wicket due to the umpire's call was unfortunate, certain Indian supporters expressed their displeasure over him bagging a low score in the high-pressure situation.
Here are some of the top reactions:
Many fans also pointed out how Kohli struggled to counter Santner in the Pune Test, losing his wicket to the left-arm spinner in both innings.
One fan wrote:
"As a virat fan , first time am very disappointed with his attitude and performance. He’s the still best batter of the team but i think he has no motivation left to play cricket anymore . He has to understand that no individual is bigger than cricket . He’s just play cricket now like a job from 9 to 5 . He has to improve his game and work on his technical problems . #ViratKohli𓃵#CricketTwitter"
"Not even in my wildest dreams I would have thought that Virat Kohli would become Mitchell Santner’s bunny." wrote a fan
"Thank good the likes of Kohli n our top order did not play test cricket during Warne , Murli n Co.. they would have not even averaged 20 in Test. U cannot face Santner n Phillips ? Awful batting in home conditions except Jaswal!l" commented another
"Since last 5 years Kohli has been averaging 33 in test cricket. At what point do the team start the conversation?" chimed in yet another
It is worth mentioning that it has been an underwhelming series with the bat for Virat Kohli. He has bagged three failures across four innings, with his 70-run knock in the opening encounter the only saving grace.
With the victory in Pune, New Zealand put India's home juggernaut to a screeching hauled, claiming their maiden Test series victory on Indian soil. The Men in Blue, on the other hand, suffered their first home Test series loss since 2012-13.
Virat Kohli also faced flak for Rishabh Pant's run out on Day 3 of IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
Apart from failing to score big in the run chase in Pune, Virat Kohli was also involved in a run-out situation that ended in Rishabh Pant losing his wicket for a duck.
In the 23rd over of the innings, Kohli guided a ball from left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel towards backward point. He called for a single and Pant, despite having a better view of the fielder, went ahead with the run.
The keeper-batter was ultimately run out despite putting in a dive. The dismissal put India in a spot of bother and the side were eventually bowled out for 245. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the lone warrior with his 77-run knock, while Ravindra Jadeja finished with 44 runs.