Arshdeep Singh’s Confidence in Kohli
Arshdeep Singh, India’s left-arm fast bowler, remains unfazed by Virat Kohli’s disappointing eight-ball duck in the first ODI against Australia in Perth. He believes that Kohli will soon find his rhythm in the remaining matches of the series, a format where he has excelled.
Kohli made his return to international cricket at Perth’s Optus Stadium after a six-month hiatus since winning the Champions Trophy on March 9. Fans had high hopes for him to score heavily in the challenging conditions, but Mitchell Starc managed to tempt him into a risky drive outside off-stump.
Kohli’s Experience is Key
Kohli’s attempt resulted in a thick edge, caught by Cooper Connolly at backward point, marking a disappointing return for the seasoned player. Despite this setback in his 303rd ODI, Arshdeep remains confident that Kohli will soon regain his form. The 26-year-old expressed his admiration for Kohli, stating that sharing the dressing room with him is a privilege.
“Having played over 300 ODIs, Kohli understands the game well. Form is merely a term for him. I believe he will score plenty of runs in this series. He has mastered this format, so I trust he will bounce. Back from this dismissal,” Arshdeep remarked during the post-match press conference.
India’s Struggles in the Match
In a match heavily influenced by weather, India’s top order struggled against Australia’s bowling attack. Rohit Sharma (8), Kohli (0), and Shubman Gill (10) all fell victim to the challenging conditions after Australia opted to bowl first. The match faced multiple interruptions due to rain, complicating India’s batting efforts.
The most significant partnership came from Axar Patel (31) and KL Rahul (38), who managed to add 39 runs together. Nitish Reddy also contributed with two impressive sixes, helping India reach a total of 136/9 in a match shortened to 26 overs.
Disruptions Impact Batting Focus
Arshdeep noted that while the pitch was conducive for batting, the frequent breaks hindered the players’ ability to concentrate. He highlighted the effective partnership between Rahul and Axar, stating, “The wicket was good if you spent time on it. However, the constant interruptions made it challenging for batters to stay focused. Credit must also go to the Australian bowlers, who bowled effectively and utilized the conditions well.”
Australia successfully chased down a revised target of 131 runs using the DLS method, with Mitchell Marsh leading the charge with an unbeaten 46 runs off 52 balls. This victory marked Australia’s first ODI win at the Optus Stadium, leaving Shubman Gill’s captaincy debut on a disappointing note.
