India seized control off the 305-run chase in the second ODI right from the get go as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put up a powerplay batting exhibition. The duo amassed 77 runs in the first 10 overs, either side of a forced half-hour break due to floodlight failure, and soon raced to their respective half-centuries before the breakthrough finally arrived in the 17th over with the score 136. However, none could tell hearing the noise within the stadium, for the decibel levels increased manifold in anticipation of the legendary Virat Kohli walking out to play his first ODI of the year. Unfortunately for those in attendance, the romance did not last long as the 36-year-old lasted just eight deliveries before succumbing yet again to Adil Rashid in slightly controversial fashion.
On the third ball of the 20th over, Rashid pitched a ball in line with the stumps at length that looped deliciously before hitting the deck. Kohli was naturally drawn forward and tried to push the leg-break through the offside but the Kookaburra gripped and turned enough to beat his attempt enroute to Phil Sat’s gloves. The English immediately went up in loud appeal, with the wicket-keeper confident they had their man, and Jos Buttler barely waited a moment after the umpire said no to go upstairs. Interestingly, Kohli looked rather unbothered as he waited for the replays, and boy was he in for a shock. The snicko showed a distinct spike when the ball was near Kohli’s bat and the veteran immediately scrunched his face up in disbelief but showed maturity to walk off without complaining or waiting around.
It was also the 10th time Kohli had fallen to Rashid in int’l cricket, making him the bowler with second-most wickets of the 36-year-old across formats when representing the nation. Twitterati, however, still needed some convincing over the dismissal as debates raged on.
Virat didn’t like it
Just 5
Virat Kohli was padded up for two hours just to score 5 runs 😭😭😭
— Schrödinger (@srhnation) February 9, 2025
Virat Kohli’s reaction after watching a spike on the big screen. pic.twitter.com/ruIpq92oZk
— Dinesh Verma (@DineshVerm1047) February 9, 2025
Failure
LOL
Virat Kohli new emojis updated #INDvsENG #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/Vboh9kAWBF
— Samar Shrivastav (@shrisamar) February 9, 2025
Everyone said Shubman Gill would follow Virat Kohli footsteps and will every record,
But here Gill following Joe Root, only making fifties #INDvsENG— Bharbhuti ji (@crickdevil) February 9, 2025
Selfless
Virat Kohli should be selfless and opt out of Champions Trophy. Knee issue bhi hai ab to kharab batting form ke saath.#INDvsENG
— Harsh Srivastava (@186Harsh) February 9, 2025
Can’t believe
Can’t believe Virat has become a Walking Wicket ….#INDvsENG #ODI
— Mudit 🇮🇳 (@MuditHastir) February 9, 2025
Virat sir you deserve Criticism today 🗣️, that’s it 😐 pic.twitter.com/GwntZ8Fv7A
— GENIUS¹⁸ (@Genius_18000) February 9, 2025
Wow
