Team India’s star batter Virat Kohli was dismissed for a duck off eight balls on his much-anticipated return to international cricket during the first ODI against Australia. He was caught by Cooper Connolly off Mitchell Starc’s delivery at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, October 19.
Kohli struggled to score as Australia’s new-ball pair, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, maintained tight control during the first powerplay. He came to the crease following Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal in the fourth over, but the hosts applied relentless pressure, preventing him from opening his account.
After missing a few shots and playing some mistimed strokes, Kohli ultimately fell while attempting an uppish drive against a ball moving away from him. The shot lacked proper execution, resulting in a thick edge that flew to point, where Connolly completed the catch.
Virat Kohli registered his first ODI duck in Australia after 29 matches, with Mitchell Starc becoming only the second bowler to dismiss him for a duck twice in international cricket. Fans expressed disappointment over his return, sparking reactions on social media. Here are some twitter reactions:
This Shot will be forever remembered for the downfall of Virat Kohli ,its only reason for his Retirement
— Patriot (@patriottte) October 19, 2025
Sometimes I feel did Virat Kohli uses his brain during batting anymore? Same mistake koi kaise kar sakta hai vo bhi itni baar 💔 https://t.co/1qRyRH5kvw
— Satyam (@ssatyam_) October 19, 2025
When you wait 4 months & 16 days to watch a 8 ball duck
Feel for Virat Kohli. pic.twitter.com/zQAESMwFJF— VikRand Gupta (@RarshitHana) October 19, 2025
Dear @grok virat kohli aaj jaldi out ho gya yaar ab din kaise rahega… 🥺💔❤🩹😒#ViratKohli #Cricket #IndianCricket
— indian 🌎🇮🇳 (@himanshu__1107) October 19, 2025
Virat Kohli dismissed 💔💔 for a 8 ball duck.
A very disappointing moment after
Long waiting periods#ViratKohli #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/kLWSHBgyFK— HitmanThalaVibes (@CricHitmanThala) October 19, 2025
Virat Kohli to Mitchell Starc 😭#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/JWhssWI2BZ
— Silly Cricketer 🏏 (@SillyCricketers) October 19, 2025
India’s Opener Rohit Sharma Falls Early For 8 On Return
India’s experienced opener Rohit Sharma fell cheaply in the first ODI of the three-match series against Australia in Perth on Sunday, October 19. The right-hander scored just eight runs off 14 balls as India lost their first wicket at 13. The 38-year-old appeared rusty, having last played an ODI against New Zealand in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Rohit’s dismissal came in the fourth over of India’s innings. He left the first three deliveries outside off before edging a short, good-length ball that nipped away and gained extra bounce. Australian debutant Matthew Renshaw took a simple catch at second slip to send the opener back to the pavilion. Here are some twitter reactions:
but why are we asking virat kohli and rohit sharma to prove themselves? https://t.co/vW3ursnN0i
— 🗣️🗣️ (@cricball101) October 19, 2025
Tauba tauba saara mood kharab kar diya#ViratKohli #RohitSharma𓃵 #AUSvIND #ViratKohli𓃵 #INDvsAUS VIRAT KOHLI ROHIT SHARMA pic.twitter.com/SRp83wtpuS
— Minakshi Awasthi (@MINAKSHIDP21) October 19, 2025
Match One #INDvsAUS
Gautam Gambhir's fans to Virat
Kohli And Rohit Sharma : pic.twitter.com/D8GTgMcKvu— Vish (@VishSpark03) October 19, 2025
Today is bad day for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
— Sanjay Tyagi (@Sanjay_tyagi143) October 19, 2025
It’s notable that Rohit Sharma struggled in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy during India’s previous tour of Australia, scoring just 31 runs across five innings and stepping aside from the lineup. The Mumbai opener will need to bounce back quickly in the second ODI.
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