Virat Kohli ignited excitement in the third and final ODI against England in Ahmedabad on Wednesday with a vintage cover drive off Mark Wood.
Kohli, chasing his first ODI century since the 2023 World Cup semifinal, looked promising. He reached his 73rd ODI fifty, seemingly poised for a big score. But his innings was cut short by an all-too-familiar foe: Adil Rashid.
Rashid, who has consistently troubled Kohli, once again proved his nemesis. Kohli, after a confident start, fell to a beautifully disguised slower delivery from Rashid.
The ball turned sharply, catching the outside edge, and Phil Salt completed a simple catch. The crowd fell silent as Kohli departed for 52 off 55 balls.
This marks the 11th time Rashid has dismissed Kohli in international cricket (5 in ODIs, 4 in Tests, and 2 in T20Is), putting him alongside Tim Southee and Josh Hazlewood as the bowlers who have claimed Kohli's wicket most often.
Kohli and Indian cricket fans will hope for a turnaround in the Champions Trophy, but for now, the 'outside edge' remains his adversary.
© 2025