Darren Lehmann indicated earlier this month that Australia would need a bit of luck to combat Indian captain Virat Kohli’s career-best form in the four-Test series.
Sure enough, that’s exactly how it played out in Pune.
Kohli contributed scores of zero and 13 during India’s meek surrender in the first Test, making it his lowest output in a home Test when he’s batted twice.
The right-hander, fresh from posting a double-ton in each of his past four series, shouldered arms to a straight ball from Steve O’Keefe on Saturday that hit the middle of off stump.
Kohli’s first Test duck at home came when he chased – and edged – an unthreatening wide delivery from Mitchell Starc to Peter Handscomb in the slips.
The tourists are well aware Kohli remains just as capable of delivering a series-levelling knock in Bangalore, where the second Test starts on Saturday.
“If you look closely at the ball, it was supposed to come back in, so it was a bit of luck there. It was his first couple of balls at the crease so he was probably going a little too hard,” Starc said.
“He’s scored a mountain of runs already this year. I’m sure he’ll come back bigger and stronger in the next Test, so we’re going to have to be wary of that Virat comeback.
“We know he’s going to be another key wicket for the rest of the series. There’s six more times we’ve got to get him out to really cement (Australia’s position of dominance in) this series.”
Starc and Kohli will square off at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where they struck up a bond as Bangalore teammates during the Indian Premier League.
Kohli lavished Starc last week with praise in his pre-match media conference, suggesting the left-armer represented an immense threat in the four-Test series.
“It’s amazing to see the way he has developed his skills. That’s something that every cricketer in the world would admire,” Kohli said.
bearfax
Guest
I agree that SOK wont find it as easy in the second test. He may go for 1/160. But I doubt it. SOK is a proven master of his craft, who knows how to adapt. And his style of bowling has been troubling first class batsmen for many years, and it will continue to worry the Indians. Swepson may be the next great Australian spin bowler. But not yet. He's not yet close to SOK's effectiveness...but it could come in a year or two.
Bobbo7
Guest
Warner is a great player on Australian roads. Test average in India is 24.
Brent elms
Guest
India to win in a cantor in 2nd test, i can almost see that happening after all the hype as i know this Australian team has its own flaws and far from finished product.
Jameswm
Guest
Yeah, Warner has no patience or taste for test cricket. That's why he's scored a century in each innings of a test - count them - 3 times, including twice in 4 tests at one point (with a single century and 50 in the two intervening tests). Also why he has scored single digits once in his last 17 test innings. You'd like to drop him? He scored tons in each of his last two tests before Pune. You're a tough marker.
Brett hayes
Guest
Warner is overrated home track bully, full stop
Thunder Nation
Guest
We might also find out if Warner is a quality batsman or merely a T20 slugger does he have the patience? probably not It is hard for him to focus on the big game same deal for Maxwell
Thunder Nation
Guest
Sorry Rob but i disagree SOK will be found out in the next test Rahane to make 200 in 2nd test SOK to go 1/160 Lyon to be slammed too Swepson to be picked for 3rd test Mitch Marsh to do nothing in 2nd test but continue to be picked like a dirty nose
Thunder Nation
Guest
Only fing aussie gota worry about is getting savage gastro from rotten foods in India Kohli will fall cheap again and blame everyone else including his father's shade India will destory australia in 2nd test but expect a draw in the 3rd I say it again, our battin lineup is rubbish
Rob JM
Guest
India have struggled against spin and have been very reliant on kohli and their tail enders. Starc/SOK will be lethal against their tail, which leaves kohli as the biggest threat.
bearfax
Guest
For mine, I thought India were complacent and expected to win in a cantor. Australia's team looked like they wanted to win. And India seriously under-estimated the effectiveness of SOK. They will come out fighting in the second test. Pride is at stake. No way will they want Australia to have a chance of winning this series. If they lose the second one, they cant win the series, but Australia can. This second test will be a lot tougher for Australia, but their confidence is up. As long as a couple of their batsman can stick around for a reasonable score, they could win again with that bowling line up. Australia's first innings batting performance is the key.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
We are about to find out if this is indeed a real champion Indian side or a bunch of called out bullies, the next test will be telling.
Jameswm
Guest
Luck? What luck was there? Starc enticed him with a full one wide from the body reverse swinging away. In the 2nd dig SOK deceived him, but before that SOK had him out LBW - not given, Aussies were 50/50 on whether to review but didn't - and DRS then showed he would have been out. So if there was any luck, Kohli was lucky to get to 13 in the 2nd innings. 3 for 13 that game. The dismissals were no luckier than any others.