"Before people start pointing fingers..." - Ravichandran Ashwin warns Virat Kohli to perform in Sydney ODI

Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has opened up about star batter Virat Kohli's struggles with the bat during the ongoing ODI series against Australia. Ashwin hoped that Virat would rebound with a strong performance in the third and final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, October 25.

Kohli registered consecutive ducks in the ongoing ODI series against Australia. He came into the series after a seven-month hiatus from international cricket since the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai. Notably, he recorded the first back-to-back ducks in his ODI career, surprising many in the cricket community.

Really Hope Virat Kohli Back And Gets a Score - Ravichandran Ashwin

Speaking on his YouTube show, Ravichandran Ashwin warned that critics are ready to scrutinize Virat Kohli if he fails again. Ashwin emphasized that Virat should score runs before people start pointing fingers.

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"I really hope he comes back and gets a score in Sydney. What happened to Rohit today (Thursday), Virat Kohli needs it in Sydney because, in India, we don't discuss why we lost; more often, we discuss because of whom we lost. Before people start pointing fingers, I hope Virat scores the runs," Ashwin said.

Virat is now active only in the 50-over format after retiring from T20Is and Tests. In the first two ODIs against Australia, he faced just 12 balls across both matches, raising questions about his form and future in the format.

Virat Kohli Got Out In a Manner That Rohit Sharma Used to Get Out - R Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin said that getting out to both incoming and away-going deliveries will weigh on Virat Kohli's mind ahead of the third match. Ashwin stated that the right-handed batter misjudged the line and got out off Xavier Bartlett’s bowling.

"From what I saw today, I think Virat got out in a manner that Rohit used to get out. But Rohit survived that initial, tough phase with a bit of luck. He looked very good after the early phase," Ashwin said.

"I want to talk a bit about Virat's dismissal. Xavier Bartlett is someone who can bowl outswing at 130-135 kph. After bowling the outswingers, he set Kohli up nicely. Commentators said the ball seamed in after pitching."

"Yes, it did. But the line itself was around off-stump and middle-stump. Kohli put his leg across the line. Yes, Virat was nicking deliveries outside off-stump and getting dismissed. But it's been a long time since I have seen him get out in this manner, failing to connect with a delivery that seamed in."

Rohit Sharma Scores 73 as Virat Kohli Struggles in Second ODI

Virat Kohli’s struggles continued in the second ODI match, while Rohit Sharma managed to overcome challenging conditions to score 73 runs off 97 balls.

After delivering three consecutive outswingers, Xavier Bartlett bowled a seaming delivery that hit Kohli’s pads. Kohli, expecting another away-going ball, planted his foot across the line and was trapped plumb in front. The batter did not use a review before walking back to the dressing room.

Mitchell Starc consistently moved the ball away from Kohli in the first ODI. The former captain edged an outswinging delivery in the series opener. His weakness against away-moving deliveries had also been exposed during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Also read: Gautam Gambhir's teammate totally exposes Harshit Rana: "He doesn't have a strength delivery"