A new video clip has since emerged, showing Kohli’s reaction to his dismissal. As he reached the sidelines, Kohli let his frustration get the better of him, hitting his bat against the water boxes placed near the boundary. Spectators in the stands were heard sympathizing, calling his dismissal “hard luck,” but it was clear Kohli’s frustration had reached a boiling point. This incident has only added to Kohli’s ongoing struggle in the series, where he has faced difficulties against spin.
Saturday proved disastrous for Team India as they suffered a crushing 113-run defeat to New Zealand in the second Test of a three-match series at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. This loss meant that India conceded a home Test series for the first time in 12 years. After setting a target of 359 for India, New Zealand’s bowlers put on a clinical performance, eventually bundling India out for just 245.
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Virat Kohli Explodes, Smashes Water Box in Anger as ‘Umpire’s Call’ Continues His Horror Run Against Spin
Dear bro Virat Kohli, The bat is hit over the ball, not over this water box.🤬 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/FZshuZIkzL
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) October 26, 2024
Chasing 359: India’s Hopes Rest on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli
When the hosts took to the crease on Day 3, they were in for a monumental chase. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India a spark of hope with some early boundaries. When he was joined by Virat Kohli, fans anticipated the duo might forge a match-winning partnership.
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India’s optimism, however, would not last long. Yashasvi fell after edging a Mitchell Santner delivery to the slip, leaving the hopes of the team squarely on Kohli’s shoulders.
Kohli’s Controversial Dismissal: LBW Drama Unfolds
Kohli faced his moment of reckoning in the 30th over when a well-angled delivery from Santner struck his back pad. The on-field umpire Richard Illingworth wasted no time, raising his finger for an LBW decision. Kohli, visibly unsure of the dismissal, opted for a review. The review, however, did not yield a favorable result. Replays showed that the ball was clipping the leg-stump, with the ‘umpire’s call’ justifying the original decision.
The crowd could sense Kohli’s frustration as he watched the replay, and the usually stoic batsman was seen exchanging words with Illingworth. The sequence left Kohli visibly agitated, and the tension continued to mount as he walked back to the pavilion.
Kohli’s Struggles Continue: A Series to Forget
Kohli’s rough patch against New Zealand’s spinners has been evident. The right-handed batter scored a mere 18 runs in the second Test and has accumulated just 88 runs across the series so far, with his highest contribution being 70 runs in the second innings of the first Test in Bengaluru. His struggle against Santner’s spin, especially under pressure, has been a persistent issue that the fans and analysts have started to scrutinize.
Mitchell Santner’s Heroics: A Match-Winning Six-Wicket Haul
Santner was undeniably the star for New Zealand in this test, with an astonishing six-wicket haul in India’s second innings. His bowling performance, backed by adept field placements, restricted India’s scoring and created frequent wicket-taking opportunities. In this match alone, Santner claimed a total of 13 wickets, setting up a famous victory for the Kiwis.
History-Making Victory for New Zealand
This win not only sealed a Test series victory in India but also marked New Zealand’s first overseas series triumph since the inception of the World Test Championship (WTC) in 2019. For the Kiwis, this achievement symbolizes a new era of dominance, especially in spin-friendly conditions that have historically favored Indian bowlers.
Looking Ahead: Can Kohli Bounce Back in the Final Test?
With the third Test of the series still to be played, all eyes are on Kohli and Team India’s response to this defeat. Kohli’s personal form and handling of spin will be under the microscope, and fans are eager to see whether the skipper can lead his team to salvage the series.