Published: Jan 27, 2016, 02:39 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 27, 2016, 05:19 PM (IST)
Virat Kohli’s splendid run at the iconic venue for cricket, the Adelaide Oval, has forced the Australian cricket authorities to rethink over the scheduling of their series in future. Kohli was in his elements on Tuesday once again as he clobbered the Australian bowlers all over the park at the Adelaide Oval, notching up his career-best score of 90 not out in Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket. Thanks to Kohli’s innings and his 134-run stand for the third wicket with Suresh Raina, India were able to hand Australia their second defeat on the trot. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Australia 2015-16, 1st T20I at Adelaide
Kohli was at his brutal best on Tuesday night at Adelaide, as he smashed 9 boundaries and 2 sixes en route his 90 not out. Kohli’s score was his personal best in T20I cricket, as he went past his previous best of 78 (incidentally, this is the first time an Indian batsman finished a T20I innings between 80 and 99). Kohli’s 90 helped India set a daunting 189 against Australia, which proved too many. ALSO READ: Virat Kohli’s fan arrested in Pakistan for hoisting Indian flag at his house
Australia were bowled out for 151, as India registered their second win on this tour of the country — in consecutive matches, too. Kohli continued his love affair with the Adelaide Oval, as he made runs with so much ease that would put the Australians to shame. ALSO READ: Virat Kohli says Adelaide is a wonderful stadium to play cricket
In 8 innings across formats at the Adelaide Oval, Kohli has 4 centuries and an unbeaten half-century. And in his last 4 innings, Kohli has registered the scores of 90*, 107, 141 and 115 (in other words, 453 runs at 151). These mind-boggling numbers of Kohli have not only pushed Australians on back-foot, but have worried their management who is now contemplating of not scheduling any match against India at the venue.
“You have to give the guy the credit. I mean, we too have some amazing batsmen in our ranks but Kohli’s superiority at Adelaide is putting them all to shame,” a senior official from Cricket Australia (CA) told this reporter on condition of anonymity.
“We have played all formats: Test cricket, ODIs and T20Is here in the past few years against India at Adelaide. And if you look at the number, his dominance looks supernatural, it looks freakish!” he continued.
The official added: “While we do appreciate the fact that there are only a few batsmen in international cricket today who have batted with such flair in Australia in past few years, we also have to worry about the potential threats to our national side. At this moment, Kohli looks impregnable whenever he bats at Adelaide Oval.”
The official explained that while the management admits that Australian bowling is not the same as before, he added that they will take whatever necessary action they can to ensure good state of the Australian cricket side.
“Yeah, taking the games out of Adelaide are an option. We have new venues coming up, the new stadium in Perth will need some more matches to gain international recognition and fame. We can move a few over there. As of now, our bowlers really do not seem to be having any answer to Kohli and his antics,” the official concluded, adding that there is no timeframe set to take a decision on this. Even India’s next tour of Australia is yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team looked unperturbed with the new development. A few members hinted this reporter that their immediate concern is to keep Australia under the pump now that they have finally taken a lead in a series against them.
Please note this is a satirical article — a work of pure fiction
(Jettisoned from Indian cricket stadiums, a die-hard cricket fanatic-turned-journalist Golu Sharma remains determined to keep reporting on cricketing matters that the usual media houses deem unworthy)
