Former Indian captain Virat Kohli displayed characteristic aggression and determination on Day 5 of the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia. Kohli’s stroke-filled knock of 44 brought hope to India’s pursuit of a historic victory.
However, his efforts proved insufficient as Australia emerged victorious, clinching their maiden WTC title. Kohli’s departure marked the turning point in the game, triggering a batting collapse that led to India’s defeat. Despite the disappointment, Kohli found solace in the wisdom of Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, sharing a reflective post on Instagram.
Partnering with Ajinkya Rahane, Kohli contributed to a crucial partnership of 71 runs for the fourth wicket on Day 4. His innings, filled with attacking strokes, helped India reach a solid position of 164 for 3 by the end of the day’s play. The stage was set for a thrilling final day, with Kohli aiming to guide India to a memorable win.
On the final day, Australia struck early, dismissing Kohli for 49 off 78 balls. His dismissal and the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja in the same over triggered a collapse that dashed India’s hopes of victory. Kohli’s shot selection was criticized by former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who pointed out that the Indian skipper played an ordinary shot outside the off stump. Despite his efforts, India could only score 234 while chasing a record target of 444.
Following the defeat, Kohli took to Instagram to share a meaningful message. Quoting Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, he shared, “Silence is a source of great strength.” This reflective post highlighted Kohli’s ability to find strength and introspection in adversity.
Australia’s victory in the WTC final secured them the ICC Test mace and made them the first team to win all major ICC Men’s trophies. Their comprehensive performance showcased their dominance throughout the match and exemplified their status as world-class contenders.
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Virat Kohli, widely regarded as a batting icon, faced criticism from legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar for his poor shot selection in the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia. Gavaskar expressed his disappointment with Kohli’s shot choice, describing it as “pretty ordinary” and stating that it was played outside the off stump. Gavaskar also suggested that Kohli might have been conscious that he needed just one run to reach his half-century, which could have influenced his decision-making.
Instagram story of Virat Kohli. pic.twitter.com/sv0iFAzqtc
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 11, 2023
Virat Kohli's Instagram story. pic.twitter.com/IOMyUeok8L
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 11, 2023
The criticism from Gavaskar highlights the importance of shot selection and the need for batsmen to make wise decisions, especially when approaching personal milestones. Kohli’s dismissal and India’s subsequent batting collapse demonstrated the impact such decisions could have on the outcome of a match.
