### Virat Kohli's Struggles: A Historic Low in ODI Cricket Virat Kohli, one of cricket's most celebrated players, faced an unprecedented challenge during the recent ODI series against Australia. After a seven-month hiatus from international cricket, Kohli returned to the field only to record back-to-back ducks, marking the first time in his illustrious career that he failed to score in two consecutive ODIs. This unexpected downturn has raised questions about his form and future in the sport, especially as he approaches a potential retirement phase. ### Breakdown of Kohli's Recent Performance and Reactions 1. **Consecutive Ducks**: Kohli was dismissed for a duck in both the first and second ODIs against Australia, making it a historic low for him. This was the first instance of back-to-back ducks in his 304-match ODI career [https://www.india.com/sports/watch-virat-kohli-dismissed-for-second-successive-duck-walks-back-for-last-time-from-adelaide-oval-8144970]. 2. **Return to Form**: In the third ODI, Kohli finally broke his duck by scoring a single, which he celebrated enthusiastically, indicating relief after the pressure of consecutive failures [https://www.yardbarker.com/cricket/articles/ind_vs_aus_3rd_odi_virat_kohli_impresses_the_crowd_with_a_celebratory_single_after_consecutive_ducks/s1_17727_42955590]. 3. **Public and Expert Reactions**: Kohli's performance has sparked a mix of emotions among fans and experts. While some expressed disappointment, others showed support, with the Australian crowd giving him a standing ovation despite his struggles [https://www.yardbarker.com/cricket/articles/watch_australian_crowd_gives_standing_ovation_to_virat_kohli_despite_consecutive_ducks/s1_17726_42944124]. 4. **Speculation on Retirement**: Following his poor performance, speculation about Kohli's retirement has intensified. He has hinted at the possibility of stepping back from international cricket, especially after such a dismal showing [https://www.republicworld.com/cricket/ind-vs-aus-virat-kohli-attains-unwanted-record-following-second-consecutive-duck-against-australia-in-odis]. ### Supporting Evidence of Kohli's Performance - **Duck Statistics**: Kohli's consecutive ducks increased his total to 18 in ODIs, the highest among active players [https://www.yardbarker.com/cricket/articles/aus_vs_ind_2025_virat_kohli_records_most_ducks_among_active_cricketers_in_odis/s1_17728_42944152]. - **Historical Context**: This was the first time in 17 years of international cricket that Kohli faced such a setback, highlighting the rarity of this occurrence in his career [https://www.yardbarker.com/cricket/articles/virat_kohli_registers_an_unwanted_record_for_the_first_time_in_17_years/s1_17727_42944916]. - **Performance Metrics**: Kohli's average at the Adelaide Oval, where he has historically performed well, further emphasizes the disappointment of his recent outings [https://www.india.com/sports/watch-virat-kohli-celebrate-after-ending-two-duck-streak-with-a-single-8148583]. ### Conclusion: Kohli's Future in Cricket In summary, **Virat Kohli's recent performance has raised significant concerns about his form and future in international cricket**. The back-to-back ducks have not only set an unwanted record but have also led to speculation about his potential retirement. As he navigates this challenging phase, Kohli's ability to bounce back will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. 1. Kohli's consecutive ducks are a historic low in his career. 2. His single in the third ODI marked a much-needed return to form. 3. Public reactions have been mixed, with support from fans despite his struggles. 4. Speculation about retirement looms as Kohli faces pressure to perform. The cricketing world will be keen to see how Kohli responds in future matches, as he aims to reclaim his status as one of the game's greats.