Virat Kohli’s MCG struggles leave Anushka Sharma stunned, Athiya Shetty distraught, Pics going viral
New Delhi: Virat Kohli‘s disappointing form continued on Day 5 of the fourth Test against Australia in Melbourne on Monday. Dismissed for just 5 by Mitchell Starc, Kohli once again fell to a delivery outside the off-stump, edging it to Usman Khawaja in the slips for an easy catch. The reactions of Kohli’s wife Anushka Sharma and teammate KL Rahul’s wife Athiya Shetty, who were present at the match, have gone viral on social media following the dismissal.
After Jasprit Bumrah completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Nathan Lyon, ending Australia’s second innings at 234 in 83.4 overs, India navigated the first hour of their chase without losing a wicket, despite facing tough questions from Australia’s bowlers.
But a double-wicket maiden from skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc dismissing Virat Kohli at the stroke of lunch meant Australia finished the session strongly. With Yashasvi Jaiswal unbeaten on 14 off 83 balls and Rishabh Pant to join after lunch, the game remains finely balanced, though leaning in Australia’s favor.
Chasing 340, India started cautiously as Australia’s bowlers repeatedly tested them with challenging deliveries. This forced Rohit Sharma and Jaiswal to rein in their scoring, allowing Australia to settle into a strong rhythm.
Rohit’s first attempt at an aggressive shot led to his downfall. Trying to whip Pat Cummins through the leg side, he got a leading edge and was caught in the gully, departing for nine runs off 40 balls.
On the last ball of the same over, Pat Cummins bowled a back-of-the-length delivery that left KL Rahul in two minds. Rahul nicked it behind to second slip for a five-ball duck. With Australia keeping tight control over the run-flow, Jaiswal and Kohli were forced into a defensive shell, occasionally beaten while defending. Just before lunch, Kohli went for a big drive and was caught at first slip off Mitchell Starc’s full-length delivery, departing for five off 29 balls. With Jaiswal, Pant, and the all-rounders to follow, India now faces a challenging rearguard effort to avoid losing the match.
Anushka Sharma is all of us right now Kohli just doesn’t feel like Kohli anymore pic.twitter.com/ULvkIWaM6E
— Kevin (@imkevin149) December 30, 2024
Anushka Sharma is all of us right now, after Kohli’s dismissal
: Disney+Hotstar ; TNT Sports 1
#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/9rwX4kK2OL
— Yeswanth Reddy (యశ్వంత్ రెడ్డి) (@yeswanth86) December 30, 2024
Earlier, India wrapped up Australia’s second innings in just ten balls, conceding only six runs. Jasprit Bumrah completed his five-wicket haul by sending Nathan Lyon’s stumps flying with an in-swinger that sneaked through his gate. This gave Bumrah match figures of 9/156, taking his wicket tally in the series to 30.