Ro-Ko Fail, But Wait, The Runs Will Come In The East

The two legends who have made a solid impression in their careers both against the red ball as well as the white were in for a big test straight away as they returned to Team India at one of the toughest venues for international cricket. Virat Kohli scored a century the last time he was at the Optus Stadium, but the bounce in the pitches of Perth in Western Australia is always a challenge, no matter if you have conquered it before. The Optus Stadium may not quite be the fearful WACA ground where the wind is another factor that helps bowlers more at a venue that is the very definition of a bowlers’ paradise. Kohli made his first duck in ODIs in Australia, that too after facing 8 balls. But that does not negate the build-up he got as he resumed the journey towards becoming the second highest all-time scorer of runs in ODIs behind the pocket powerhouse of a master batsman in Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs). The fact is Kohli (14,181) must still make 53 runs to join Kumar Sangakkara on the second highest ODI peak of 14,234 runs. Rohit Sharma also had a milestone to touch in his 500th international appearance for Team India though it wasn’t the most productive with just 8 runs. Kohli may have failed to further his in-your-face experience of cricket in Australia where the crowds can get into your head through the ears. He has seen bad days in that respect as he once gave the Aussie crowd the ‘bird’ for their abusive tendencies. But at the end of it all they recognise you are a fighter, and they come to respect you, which is what Kohli said before the game.