India vs Australia 1st ODI top-order collapse

The wait was long.
The hope was high.

After eight months away, cricket’s biggest stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were back in the Indian jersey for the first ODI against Australia in Perth.

Fans dreamed of vintage shots.
Centuries.
A perfect comeback.

Instead?
They got heartbreak.

Kohli was out for a duck, his first in 30 ODI innings on Australian soil.
Rohit is gone for 8 off 14 balls, edging to slip at a crucial moment.

And just like that, the dream turned into a nightmare.

🏏 What Happened in Perth? A Top-Order Collapse

India needed a solid start.
What they got was a disaster.

After Rohit and Kohli walked in, fans believed:

“This is their time. This is their stage.”

But both legends failed spectacularly.

🔥 Virat Kohli’s Rare Duck: A Dark Moment in His Career

It’s Not a Normal wicket, this is a heartbreaking Moment for billions of fans who have been waiting for 266 log days to watch Virat Kohli 😑

– Totally Wasted Sunday on 19th again #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/6ZXOBTaNbB

— Raam Bhai (@rambo_pabl24759) October 19, 2025

It was the 7th over.
Mitchell Starc steamed in.
First ball.
A wide drive outside off-stump.

Kohli, eager to get going after an eight-month hiatus, reached out.
Edge.
Fly.
Catch.

Cooper Connolly, diving left at the backward point, held it cleanly.

Silence.
Shock.
Disbelief.

This wasn’t just a duck.
It was Kohli’s first dismissal for zero in 30 ODI innings in Australia, a country where he’s scored three centuries and five fifties.

And now, Starc joined James Anderson as the only bowlers to dismiss Kohli for a duck twice in international cricket.

One fan tweeted:

“I’ve seen Kohli win World Cups. But never seen him walk back so quietly.”

💔 Rohit Sharma’s Unforced Error That Broke Hearts

Before Kohli’s fall, Rohit Sharma had already set the tone. Rohit Sharma dismissed for 8 vs Australia

On 8 runs, facing Josh Hazlewood, he played at a ball that wasn’t threatening, a length delivery just outside off.

He didn’t have to play it.
An elite opener would’ve left it.

But Rohit tapped it with soft hands.
Edge.
Caught behind? No.
But Matt Renshaw at second slip took it low and clean.

14 balls.
One boundary.
No impact.

For fans who waited 240 days to see him bat again, this wasn’t just disappointing.
It felt disrespectful to the moment.

As one expert said:

“When you’re carrying the hopes of millions, you don’t play at balls like that.”

❓ PAA Method: Answering What Fans Are Asking

Let’s tackle top Google queries using the People Also Ask (PAA) strategy:

❓ Why did Virat Kohli get out for a duck?

Kohli chased a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc, playing away from his body. The ball edged to the backward point, where Cooper Connolly took a sharp catch. It was an uncharacteristic lapse after a long break.

❓ When was the last time Kohli was dismissed for a Virat Kohli duck in Australia 2025”?

His previous ODI duck was in 2021 against England. Before Perth, he hadn’t been out for zero in any ODI since.

❓ Did Rohit Sharma retire after the Champions Trophy?

No. Both Rohit and Kohli retired from Tests and T20Is but continue playing ODIs. They were absent from the IPL and bilateral series to rest ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle.

❓ Is this the end of Rohit and Kohli’s careers?

Many experts say this Australia series is their last chance to prove they belong. Poor form could lead to non-selection or even retirement.

❓ Was the pitch or conditions unfair?

No. The pitch was flat. The weather interrupted play, but not during India’s batting collapse. Blame lies with execution, not environment.

🗣️ Rajkumar Sharma Defends His Protégé: “Kohli Needs No Proof”

Rajkumar Sharma, Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, defended him fiercely:

“He’s won matches, trophies, hearts. He knows how to rise.”

He added:

“If someone thinks he must justify his place now, it’s a joke.”

While emotional, his words resonate with loyal fans.

But reality bites:
In modern cricket, legacy isn’t enough.
You must perform.

🧠 Why This Feels Like a Turning Point

This wasn’t just one bad day.
It was symbolic.

• Two legends, returning after a long break, fail instantly.
• Young players like Jaiswal and Gill are under pressure.
• BCCI wants youth. Fans want legacy.
• And now? Doubt creeps in.

One analyst said:

“Eight months away changed everything. Cricket moved on. Did they?”

Kohli himself admitted:

“Everything feels new. My reflexes… my timing… it takes time.”

But time is running out.

 

Final Thoughts: Legends Can Stumble Too

Yes, Kohli and Rohit failed.
But let’s not forget:
They carried Indian cricket for over a decade.

They don’t owe us centuries.
But right now, the team needs them to deliver.

Because while emotions say “give them one more chance,”
Cricket says, “form wins games.”

Now, all eyes turn to the next match.
Can Kohli erase the duck?
Can Rohit redeem his error?

Or will this series mark the quiet end of an era?

Is this the end of the Kohli and Rohit era?

As one fan wrote:

“We wanted fireworks. We got silence.”

Let’s hope the next chapter roars back to life.

Watch & React

🎥 Watch: Kohli’s duck and Rohit’s edge – full clips
📢 See: Kohli’s post-match interview on his comeback
💬 Comment below: Do Kohli and Rohit deserve another chance or is it time for youth to lead?