Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan urged batting great Virat Kohli to stay patient and trust his game instead of forcing runs after the 36-year-old registered two consecutive ducks against Australia in the ODI series. Kohli got hit in the pads by Australia pacer Xavier Bartlett, who outsmarted him with clever variation.
Irfan Pathan for Virat Kohli dismissals
Kohli, who made his international comeback after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, is featuring in this series after a long gap as he recently announced his Test retirement.
"Virat Kohli, two ducks in two matches, we have not seen it before. It could be because of pressure, rustiness and everything. Whatever chatter is ongoing on social media about these two (Rohit Virat), these two players mustn't get affected by it. No one will play if they don't perform. But they have done wonderful work for India. They need support, persistence from selectors till the runs, the right rhythm does not come. It would be really important. I know it is difficult since Yashasvi Jaiswal is on the sidelines. It is not easy to play when the sword is hanging over you. I hope this is not in Virat's mind. In the first match, he got out to an outside off-stump delivery. He thought, with three slips in place, whether I would be given outside off-stump deliveries? The ball came in a bit, and he tried playing his favourite flick shot and got beaten there. The gap (between bat and pad) while playing flick was so big, I've never seen something like that from him" said Virat Kohli on his youtube channel
Irfan Pathan's advice to Virat Kohli
Irfan Pathan suggested that Virat Kohli make sure that he gets off to the mark with a single without getting desperate. He reckons that Kohli should start enjoying his batting. He also urged the fans not to speculate about their international career. Notably, after BCCI appointed Shubman Gill as Rohit Sharma's sucessor to lead India in ODIs, there are speculations whether this will be the last series for the batting duo Rohit and Virat.
"How can Virat get out of it. Virat would want to make sure to get that single and get off strike. But he should not get desperate. I hope for that one single; he would not get desperate and stop enjoying his batting. He has to enjoy his batting. If he does that, he will get more time at the crease, and if he gets runs, he will not look back. ODI is his favourite format. I appeal to the fans: these two, if they play one year, two years more, play the World Cup, or don't play much --no matter how much cricket they play, it is time to enjoy their cricket because they have given Indian cricket so much. We would hope they play as much as possible. Hope Virat gets in form soon in the next match. He can struggle like Rohit did today, but he can also regain his rhythm and showcase his craft gradually. Don't get desperate for that single, runs will come," he added.
Coming back to the India vs Australia ODI series, Australia defeated India in two ODIs of the three-match series by seven and two wickets respectively to take an unassailable 2-0 lead against India in the three-match series.