WATCH: Virat Kohli’s silent wave in Adelaide fuels retirement speculation after uncommon failures
After registering consecutive ducks for the first time in ODIs, Virat Kohli waves to the Adelaide crowd and sparks talk of retirement, raising questions on his future.
Kohli playing a cover drive against Australia in an ODI in 2023. Image | BCCI on X
Last Updated: 10.37 AM, Oct 23, 2025
For over a decade, Virat Kohli has stood as the heartbeat of Indian cricket, a figure of passion, aggression, and unmatched consistency. But on a tense evening at the Adelaide Oval, that same energy took a somber turn. After registering consecutive ducks for the first time in his ODI career, Kohli quietly waved to the crowd while walking back to the pavilion. The brief gesture, humble yet heavy with emotion, immediately sparked speculation about whether fans were witnessing the beginning of the end for one of cricket’s modern greats.
Virat Kohli’s rare slump raises questions about his future
Returning to the 50-over format after a long break, Kohli’s struggles have surprised many. In the first ODI against Australia in Perth, he lasted just eight balls before being dismissed for a duck. The second match in Adelaide followed a similar script, another score of zero, this time bowled comprehensively by a delivery that exposed his timing and footwork. It marked the first instance in his illustrious ODI career that Kohli was dismissed without scoring in consecutive matches, a statistic almost unthinkable for a player of his stature.
Yet, it wasn’t just the numbers that caught attention. As Kohli turned toward the Adelaide stands and waved, the crowd responded with a standing ovation. The moment was powerful, this was the same ground where Kohli had built his legacy with iconic hundreds, a place often regarded as his “second home.” Fans and experts alike took to social media, wondering if that wave carried a deeper message.
While there has been no official comment from Kohli or the team management, the gesture has ignited conversations around whether the 36-year-old could be nearing the twilight of his ODI career. Some see it as a natural dip in form; others interpret it as the first sign of a graceful exit being considered.
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