Last Update on: September 27th, 2023 at 05:41 pm
Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli is in a joyful mood in the third ODI against Australia in Rajkot. He was rested for the first two games and is back for the third ODI.
Kohli, who had a good outing in the Asia Cup, was one of the senior players to rest for the first two games. Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Hardik Pandya also rested for the first two games. Pandya eventually did not play the final ODI as well.
In the sapping heat of Rajkot, Kohli seemed tireless as he covered the grounds on the field. In the 37th over of the Australian innings, he took a simple catch to dismiss Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Carey was the first of Jasprit Bumrah’s wickets on the day. He was dismissed in the 37th over of the Australian innings. He then dismissed Glenn Maxwell with a searing yorker in the 39th over. He came back to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne (72 off 58) in the final over off his spell.
Also Read: Mark Waugh Reveals His Australia XI For World Cup-opener Against India
Bumrah, the lead Indian pacer gave away 30 runs and picked up three wickets in his last five overs. Meanwhile, Kohli with his celebration hogged the limelight as he took a simple catch. Bumrah on the other hand, went for 51 in his first five overs.
— No-No-Crix (@Hanji_CricDekho) September 27, 2023
Virat Kohli Likely To Open In 3rd ODI Along With Rohit Sharma
With Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan not a part of the playing XI, Kohli is likely to open the innings with Rohit Sharma. He has played seven games as an opener and in that he has scored just 166 runs at an average of below 24.
Meanwhile, Australia after their 50 overs finished with 352/7 with contributions from Mitchell Marsh (96), David Warner (56), Steve Smith (74), and Marnus Labuschagne (72). India now need 353 to win and clean-sweep the Aussies heading into the World Cup.
