It was not the kind of return Virat Kohli or his fans were hoping for. The Indian star, who walked out to bat after Rohit Sharma’s early exit in the first ODI against Australia at Perth’s Optus Stadium, could not get going.
Facing just eight deliveries, Kohli fell for a duck, caught brilliantly by Cooper Connolly off Mitchell Starc’s bowling. It was his first duck in ODIs on Australian soil.
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The 36-year-old was playing his first international match since the IPL 2025 final and though rustiness was expected, few imagined such a brief stay.
How did Virat Kohli’s dismissal unfold in the first ODI in Perth?
Kohli came in at No.3 after Rohit fell for just eight runs. From the first few deliveries, the right-hander seemed slightly unsettled as he was adjusting to the pace and bounce of Perth’s surface after a long break from ODI cricket.
Mitchell Starc, who has often troubled Kohli with movement off the seam, delivered a perfect outswinger. The ball was pitched up outside off, tempting Kohli to go for his trademark cover drive.
The bat’s outer edge carried straight to backward point, where Connolly completed a sharp catch diving to his left. It was his first-ever ODI duck in Australia and the start of another tough chapter in his statistical record.
MORE: How much did Virat Kohli score today in India vs Australia 1st ODI 2025 match?
Why are Virat Kohli’s averages dipping across formats and countries?
For the first time in his career, Kohli’s averages across several formats and regions have dipped below the 50 mark. Below is a quick look at where his numbers have slid:
| Category | Average |
|---|---|
| T20Is | Dropped below 50 |
| Tests in South Africa | Dropped below 50 |
| Overall vs New Zealand | Dropped below 50 |
| Tests in Australia | Dropped below 50 |
| Ranji Trophy | Dropped below 50 |
| ODIs in Australia | Dropped below 50 |
His latest mark came after the first ODI against Australia, where his career average in the country fell to 49.14 from 30 matches.
What do Virat Kohli’s ODI stats in Australia tell us?
Despite the recent dip, Kohli’s overall record in Australia remains respectable. Since his debut there in 2012, he has played 30 matches and scored1327 runs at an average of 49.14.
Below is a look at the stat showing Virat Kohli’s ODI record in Australia over the years:
| Span | Matches | Innings | Runs | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s | 0s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–2025 | 30 | 30 | 1327 | 49.14 | 88.58 | 5 | 6 | 1 |
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