Trisha Ghosal in Melbourne
Virat Kohli wasn’t just in the game today — he was the game. At the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the Boxing Day Test, Kohli’s presence was electric from the first ball of Australia’s second innings. India had been bowled out for 369 in their first innings, trailing by 105 runs. With a mountain to climb, Kohli stepped up in his quintessential style, bringing the fire that Indian fans had been craving all series.
Whether it was setting fields with precision or offering constant words of encouragement to Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep between deliveries, Kohli ensured the bowlers stuck to the plan — bowling disciplined lines and lengths that suffocated the Australian batters.
For a player often described as the heartbeat of Indian cricket, fans and critics alike had started murmuring: “Where is Kohli’s fire?” Over the course of this series, his characteristic aggression seemed replaced by a more composed, smiling version of the man who once animatedly roared at opposition batters and whipped up crowds into a frenzy.
But today, that smile was gone. In its place was the fierce, fiery Kohli that cricket fans have idolised for over a decade. He gestured animatedly towards the crowd, imploring them to rally behind the team. The signature fist-pumps, the guttural screams after a wicket, and his unrelenting focus — everything was back.
A Leader Who Leads Through Passion
Kohli’s intensity today wasn’t just an individual spectacle — it was contagious. The Australian batting line-up, which has been a mixture of fragility and brilliance, suddenly looked completely unsure against India’s attack. So far in this series, Jasprit Bumrah has been stellar, carrying the bulk of the workload and spearheading India’s bowling attack. However, he has often lacked consistent support from the other end.
Today, that changed. Siraj and Akash rose to the occasion, complementing Bumrah’s brilliance with disciplined lines and relentless pressure. And Kohli? He was the glue that held it all together. From strategic field placements to consistent communication with the bowlers, Kohli ensured Siraj and Akash executed their plans to perfection. His energy on the field inspired the younger bowlers to step up, and for the first time in the series, India looked like a complete bowling unit.
It wasn’t just about the wickets — it was about creating an environment where every player believed they could make an impact. Kohli’s leadership in moments like these is why he remains one of the most influential captains in modern cricket.
Aggression With Purpose
The turning point wasn’t just in Kohli’s body language but in his ability to rally the troops and remind the cricketing world why he remains a modern-day icon. It’s this fire and determination that has been missing since Kohli’s century in Perth — a knock that had the cricketing world buzzing about his return to form.
In the first innings of this Test, Kohli showed glimpses of his best self. His disciplined approach, leaving deliveries outside off-stump with the patience of a saint, was reminiscent of his prime. And when the opportunity came, he drove and pulled with the elegance and power we have come to expect. Unfortunately, his innings ended with a classic dismissal in the corridor of uncertainty, an area that has troubled even the best batters in the world.
But today, it wasn’t about what Kohli has done so far in the series with the bat — it was about what he did with his heart.
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One Day, One Chance, One Kohli
With one day to go in this Test, India’s chances of forcing a draw — or pulling off an audacious win — rest heavily on Kohli’s shoulders. His energy on the field today wasn’t just about this match; it was a statement. A declaration that the ‘King’ is still here, and he is ready to reclaim his throne.
Kohli’s aggression is more than a celebration or a roar — it’s a message. To his team, to the opposition, and to the fans. It’s a reminder of what makes cricket, and sport in general, so compelling: passion, belief and the refusal to give up, no matter the odds.
Tomorrow, as Kohli takes the field, don’t be surprised if he carries this fire into his batting. A pumped-up Virat Kohli with the bat can make things happen. On song, he can rewrite the script of this game.
For now, India will take comfort from the fact that their leader isn’t just in the fight — he is the fight.
Also Read: Agony and no ecstasy for Akash Deep