Two ducks in a row for Virat Kohli: What’s going wrong for him?

Virat Kohli records two consecutive ducks — here’s a deep dive into what’s going wrong with the Indian star batter’s form.

When Virat Kohli walked off the Adelaide Oval after another early blow, with no run to his name, a stunned silence filled the stadium that had so often roared for him. The India great, returning to international cricket after months, was out for consecutive ducks in ODIs for the first time in his illustrious 17-year career — both against Australia.

Long-awaited comeback turns bittersweet
The build-up before the series was massive. Kohli was making a long-awaited comeback, his first ODI assignment since India’s Champions Trophy triumph in early 2025. Fans and experts expected him to resume his run-scoring ways immediately, especially given his legendary record in Australia. The anticipation was heightened by social media buzz.

However, reality had other plans. In the opening ODI at Perth, Kohli lasted only eight balls before edging a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc to the wicketkeeper. The dismissal was particularly disappointing because Kohli had been playing away from his body, a technical lapse uncharacteristic of him. The Australia bowlers exploited Kohli’s early vulnerability with the moving ball.

Then came Adelaide, the ground often called his overseas home. The crowd expected redemption, perhaps another Kohli masterclass. But this time, the story was quite similar. Facing pacer Xavier Bartlett, Kohli began cautiously, leaving the first two balls outside off. On the fourth delivery, however, Bartlett produced a late inswinger that jagged back sharply and trapped Kohli leg-before. He didn’t even review the decision, trudging off for a four-ball duck, acknowledging the crowd with a subdued wave.

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What is going wrong for Kohli?
What makes this dip unusual is not just the numbers but the context. Physically, Virat Kohli looks in prime fitness. Yet, fitness doesn’t equate to match rhythm. The 36-year-old has not played a single domestic or international game since the IPL final in June, a gap of more than four months without facing competitive bowling. Jumping straight into a high-intensity ODI series against Australia, arguably one of the most disciplined bowling attacks in world cricket, was always going to be a tough re-entry.

No amount of gym sessions, net practice, or mental conditioning can simulate the pressure of real match scenarios. Players like Kohli, who thrive on rhythm and reaction, often rely on consistent game time to keep their instincts sharp. The layoff may have disrupted his match tempo. It’s not uncommon for even the greats to struggle when returning cold into elite-level cricket.

Kohli’s technique itself doesn’t appear flawed, his head position and balance remain steady, but his timing seems fractionally late, and his shot decisions slightly hesitant. That half-millisecond of uncertainty is often enough for world-class bowlers like Starc to exploit.

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Kohli’s road ahead
For India, the concern is the potential rust that could linger. The ODI format demands sustained concentration. Historically, Kohli has built his greatness on momentum, frequent matches, intense targets, and an insatiable hunger to stay in form. The current version, coming off long breaks, looks short of that sharpness.

Cricket history reminds us that even legends stumble after breaks, all went through phases where lack of match practice cost them early wickets. The difference lies in how quickly they bounced back – by playing more frequently, not less.

For Kohli, who is clearly eyeing to feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup, regular cricket is non-negotiable. Playing only selective series might conserve energy but could rob him of the consistency that made him formidable. If he truly wants another World Cup run, the path forward is clear: return to routine cricket, regain match sharpness, and let the runs flow naturally.

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