Virat Kohli received a standing ovation from the Adelaide Oval crowd despite scoring a duck (zero runs) in the second ODI against Australia on October 23, 2025. It was his second consecutive duck in the series and the first time in his ODI career he has recorded back-to-back ducks. Kohli faced just four balls before being dismissed by Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett, who bowled a nip-backer that hit the stumps.
Adelaide Oval has been a favorite venue for Kohli, where he holds the record for most runs by a visiting batsman across formats and has previously scored two centuries. As he walked back to the pavilion after his dismissal, the crowd gave him a warm standing ovation, acknowledging his illustrious career at this venue. Kohli acknowledged the crowd by raising his right hand in a quiet, emotional wave, which sparked speculation and discussions about whether it was a farewell gesture or a hint at possible retirement from ODI cricket. Fans and commentators noted the moment as poignant, given Kohli’s past successes at Adelaide and the growing uncertainty about his future in international cricket.
The gesture deeply moved fans worldwide and became viral on social media, fostering debate on whether this marked the end of an era for one of India’s greatest ODI players. Despite recent poor form, many fans defended Kohli’s legacy, emphasizing that two poor innings do not define a legendary career. The standing ovation highlighted the respect and affection the fans have for him, transcending the immediate disappointment of the scoreless innings.
Summary
Virat Kohli received a heartfelt standing ovation from the Adelaide Oval crowd despite scoring a duck in the second ODI against Australia on October 23, 2025. This marked his second consecutive duck in the series and the first time in his ODI career he recorded back-to-back zero scores. The crowd’s standing ovation was a tribute to his illustrious career, especially at Adelaide Oval where he has been a prolific scorer. Kohli acknowledged the fans with a quiet wave, sparking speculation about a potential farewell or retirement from the ODI format.
The moment touched millions of cricket fans worldwide, symbolizing the undiminished respect for Kohli’s contributions despite recent struggles. Known for his fighting spirit and world-class batting, Kohli’s legacy remains intact as fans celebrated his past heroics even while expressing concern for his form. The reaction in Adelaide reaffirmed Kohli’s status as a beloved cricketing icon, highlighting the emotional connection between fans and one of India’s greatest batsmen. This emotional scene served as a reminder that sportsmanship and respect often transcend on-field statistics in cricket.