Perth, November 22 The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 began on a shaky note for India, as star batter Virat Kohli was dismissed for just 5 runs in the opening session of the first Test. Kohli’s struggles outside the off-stump continued as Josh Hazlewood, with his brilliant line and bounce, sent the Indian talisman back to the pavilion, leaving fans stunned and social media ablaze.
Hazlewood’s Precision Undoes Kohli
Hazlewood’s delivery was a masterclass in exploiting the conditions. The ball, pitched back of a length and angled outside the off-stump, lured Kohli into an indecisive push. The extra bounce caught the edge, and Usman Khawaja at slips made no mistake. The dismissal was eerily reminiscent of Kohli’s earlier struggles, reigniting concerns about his form.
Kohli’s early departure left a void in India’s batting lineup, with fans left wondering if their batting superstar could shake off his lingering weaknesses.
The Century Drought Continues
Kohli’s last Test century came in July 2023 against the West Indies in Port of Spain, a sparkling 117-run innings. However, since then, the wait for another triple-digit score has extended to 16 months, much to the disappointment of fans and analysts alike.
Memes and Reactions Take Over Social Media
As soon as Kohli was dismissed, fans took to social media, expressing their frustration and disbelief. Memes poking fun at Kohli’s short stay at the crease flooded platforms like Twitter.
One fan sarcastically wrote, “Australian newspapers hype his ‘Virat Kohli aura’—all this just to score 5 runs. Tears, man, tears. 
” Another chimed in, “Perth’s bounce strikes again! Kohli just can’t seem to crack the code here.”
The dismissal also drew discussions about the persistent challenge posed by Australian pitches and their ability to exploit Kohli’s tendency to play outside the off-stump.
India’s Struggles in the Opening Session
Kohli’s dismissal was part of a dismal morning for Team India. After winning the toss and opting to bat, India’s top order crumbled under the relentless pressure of Australia’s pace attack.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal fell for ducks, both succumbing to Mitchell Starc’s fiery opening spell.
- KL Rahul, despite a gritty 26 off 74 balls, was caught behind just before lunch.
India limped to 51/4 at lunch, with Rishabh Pant (10)* and Dhruv Jurel (4)* at the crease, tasked with rescuing the innings.
Australia Dominates the Morning
Australia’s bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood (1/10) and Mitchell Starc (2/28), were clinical in their execution. The extra bounce and pace of the Perth wicket were on full display, unsettling India’s batters. Skipper Pat Cummins kept the pressure high with disciplined field placements and unrelenting accuracy.
