Twitter Reactions: Khawaja overshadows Kohli’s masterclass to guide Australia home

Following defeats in the first two ODIs, Australia managed to beat India in the third One-Dayer at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi by 32 runs. The visitors didn’t bat to their full potential in the opening games, but they came out firing on all cylinders and made sure that they stay alive in the series with two matches left. The Indians had their moments, but couldn’t latch on them and hence succumbed to the pressure.

Khawaja weaves magic

India won the toss and put India in to bat first and it backfired to a significant extent. Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja put on a significant stand of 193 runs from 191 deliveries. The duo kept the home team at bay for a significant amount of time. Kuldeep Yadav gave the Men in Blue their first breakthrough, dismissing Finch, who notched 93 runs from 99 balls with 10 boundaries and three sixes.

Khawaja notched his maiden ODI ton in 107 balls and soon after perished to fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Glenn Maxwell took on the Indian bowling right from the outset and churned out 47 runs with three fours and fours apiece. Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb couldn’t make an impact. Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey scored 37 and 21 respectively to take the Aussies to 313 in 50 overs.

Kohli’s knock in vain

The visitors got off to a horrendous start as Jhye Richardson and Pat Cummins got rid of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma inside the first five overs. Ambati Rayudu succumbed to yet another failure and became Cummins’ second victim. Hometown boy MS Dhoni joined his captain Virat Kohli in the middle and the experienced duo brought sanity back into the proceedings with a partnership of 59 runs.

The likes of Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, and Ravindra Jadeja scored 26, 32 and 24 respectively, but none could support their captain Kohli, who went on to amass his 41st ODI ton. Adam Zampa got the prized scalp of Virat after he scored 123 runs from 95 balls with 16 fours and one six. After his dismissal, the writing was on the wall for India. For the Aussies, Cummins, Richardson, and Zampa got three wickets.

Here is how Twitter hailed Kohli and Australia

I love watching @imVkohli bat & play cricket as he never ever gives up & always believes his team can win when he’s batting. Just a terrific attitude & one that warms my heart. Congrats to Oz on a wonderful win, some great signs with bat & ball ! Very happy for @AaronFinch5 too !

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 8, 2019

Another 100 to Kohli, but I think Australia will get the victory tonight

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) March 8, 2019

The 🐐 is at it again … #Virat

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 8, 2019

Are you joking, @imVkohli?
You making all of us that batted ok, look like muppets!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/TegxxzWZKo

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) March 8, 2019

In other news…. @imVkohli … Absolutely next level! Have run out of words to describe this guy! 😱😱😱 #INDvAUS

— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) March 8, 2019

Form is temporary….KOHLI is permanent. Superhuman. pic.twitter.com/EPGoxeFgDp

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 8, 2019

It isn’t this easy. It isn’t a joke, but this man has made it a joke.
41st for King Kohli. #IndvAus

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 8, 2019

Absolutely sensational Kohli! Stand and Admire Stuff 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 @imVkohli

— Jaydev Unadkat (@JUnadkat) March 8, 2019

Number 41 from @imVkohli 💯👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 8, 2019

This is just unreal now. Well played again #ViratKohli #AUSvIND

— Ajit Agarkar (@imAagarkar) March 8, 2019

Virat Kohli should be given additional salary of Shikher dhawan's and Rohit sharma's as well. He has to score their runs , too. #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS

— Jigs (@jigs3993) March 8, 2019

This is so bad!! https://t.co/BU02qDZe8c

— Rikki Clarke (@RikkiClarke81) March 8, 2019

Pity @imVkohli’s gr8 knock shud finish up on losing side;but gr8r pity is Indn crowd’s failure to appreciate gud Crkt by Aussies who seem to be bending backwards to improve their on the field image..sans tantrums/sledging..all fr gud o Crkt at large.!Well played Australia.!!

— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) March 8, 2019

https://twitter.com/IamTheAshraf/status/1104047732505890817

Team selection politics… anyhow selectors going to fit raydu pant rahul in the world cup squad… Victim will be finisher like Dk n young talent like Prithvi Shaw.. #indvsaus

— Tanaji Kamble (@tanajikamble13) March 8, 2019

Yuzi Chahal and Bhuvi is certainly going to be a part of World Cup. Should they have not needed some matches? Or will IPL matches be enough? @StarSportsIndia#INDvsAUS

— Rahul Gogoi (@RahulGo76636510) March 8, 2019

Century no. 41.
This man is definitely from another planet.@imVkohli Virat Kohli – the modern legend. What a player, what a knock #INDvsAUS 🇮🇳🏆🎖️

— SK Shaan (@sk__shaan) March 8, 2019

Are you really a human being @imVkohli ?How can you hit hundreds so easily ? I have no words how to praise you #INDvsAUS #starsportsIndia

— Shubham Thakur (@tthakur_shubham) March 8, 2019

#INDvsAUS India has still not found a replacement for Yuraj Singh..if India wants to win the WC they need to find a player like Yuvraj ..Yuvraj was X factor in 2011 world cup India won because of him..

— Jazz Bhasin (@SinghaOSingha) March 8, 2019

Don't know how many more matches till Kohli will hold the responsibility of the batting all alone ? #IndvsAus #ViratKohli

— Rupali (@Imrups12) March 8, 2019

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