Twitter Reactions: Virat Kohli finishes New Zealand sojourn with another low score

Virat Kohli didn’t happy a happy ending to a rather quiet tour of New Zealand. The Delhi-born got a few scores in the 40s and 50s in the ODI and T20I series, but couldn’t convert any of them, quite uncharacteristically. He started the two-match Test series as ICC’s number one ranked batsman. Hence, there was a lot of expectations from Virat to get a few substantial knocks under his belt.

In the opening game at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, he got scores of two and 19. To add insult to his injury, India went 0-1 down in the series owing to a 10-wicket drubbing. With the visitors reeling in the second Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Virat flattered to deceive. In the first innings, fast bowler Tim Southee trapped Kohli plumb in front when he was on three off 15 balls.

India also lost one DRS after Virat reviewed his dismissal. In the second innings, Kohli came to bat after Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal perished in quick succession. At that point in time, India were leading by 33 runs and were in quite a bit of trouble. Virat started with a few dot deliveries and then upped the ante with a ferocious flick for a boundary off Southee in the 11th over.

Kohli gets out cheaply yet again

In the 13th over, he smashed Kyle Jamieson for a couple of scorching fours. The boundaries would have done his confidence a world of good. However, Virat’s joy didn’t last long as a few overs later, Colin de Grandhomme accounted for his wicket. The bowler churned out a gentle full-length delivery and it came back in sharply. Kohli couldn’t get his bat down on time and was hit on the pads.

The impact was in front of the stumps and there was no chance that the decision could have been reversed. He had a chat with non-striker Cheteshwar Pujara before walking off. This time around, he didn’t use the DRS. It also broke a blossoming 25-run stand between Virat and Pujara. In the meantime, the netizens aren’t happy with Virat, who ended the series with 38 runs.

Here’s how Twitterati reacted: –

This is the first time in Virat Kohli's career that he couldn't able to score 100 runs in ODIs series and 50 runs in test series of the same tour. A real lean patch for Virat at wrong time, hopefully a Virat Kohli comeback from him in the coming days.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 1, 2020

Least runs in a test series for Virat Kohli (min 2 matches):

38 Vs New Zealand, 2020.
46 Vs Australia, 2016/17.
60 Vs West Indies, 2013/14.
76 Vs West Indies, 2011.
115 Vs West Indies, 2011/12.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 1, 2020

Virat Kohli on this NZ tour:

45
11
38
11
51
15
9
2
19
3
14

218 runs in 11 innings. #NZvIND

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 1, 2020

Virat has hit a turbulence after how many years of purple patch.?Problem is not Virat hitting a bad patch..problem is thr is no one else in the team who can cover that bad patch…like it use to be in the days of sachin dravid n vvs..@imVkohli @RaviShastriOfc @StarSportsIndia

— GurukiGoogly! (@samiprajguru) March 1, 2020

Virat Kohli not scoring a century in an entire tour *

vs NZ 2019/20 (Away)
vs Ban 2015 (Away)
vs Eng 2014 (Away)
vs WI 2013/14 (Home)
vs WI 2011 (Away)

* Min one Test + one ODI/T20I#NZvIND

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) March 1, 2020

Against minnow teams. Aginst NZ@imVkohli pic.twitter.com/e0ikqqirsM

— chekatlo chindulestha (@chikati_rajyam) March 1, 2020

* 1 march *

Sachin Tendulkar scored 98 runs against in WC 2003.

Virat Kohli failed to score a century on this entire tour.

This day is totally belongs to Sachin Tendulkar. 😜😂#INDvNZ

— Sunil (@1sInto2s) March 1, 2020

Virat Kohli Dismissals In This Tour 🙂💔 #NZvsIND #ViratKohli #KingKohli #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/WeizKQpnoe

— Naveen Achary™ (@ImNaveenAcharyy) March 1, 2020

Virat Kohli now have a better Test batting average in England than New Zealand
England – 36.65
New Zealand – 36.00#NZvIND

— JSK (@imjsk27) March 1, 2020

In tests
Steve Smith >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>virat#NZvIND

— lite raa😑 (@gajala997) March 1, 2020

Lowest average in a Test series for Virat Kohli: (2+ matches)

9.20 v Aus, 2017, India
9.50 v NZ, 2020, New Zealand*
13.40 v Eng, 2014, England#NZvIND

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 1, 2020

Virat Kohli in this series:

2
19
3
14

– Only the 2nd series of 2+ matches in which Kohli hasn't crossed 20. #NZvIND

— #NZvIND #INDvNZ (@Broken_Cricket) March 1, 2020

Virat kohli's self distruction mode is on !! #NZvIND

— Kunal 🇮🇳 (@imKPL48) March 1, 2020

#ViratKohli 2nd worst tour we all know the first #INDvsNZ

— jonyRao (@jonyRao7) March 1, 2020

Kohli fans already uninstalled their twitter apps hereafter all will come for ipl wer he smash unadket & Harsal patel then they will compare with sachin,smith e.t.c with stats https://t.co/xILuKUwUAu

— gopalakrishnan (@gopalak69430739) March 1, 2020

Don't compare Kohli with Steve Smith. Smith always performs in crucial situations. https://t.co/Npn7TSEpil

— Steve Smith (@Steve_Smith_49) March 1, 2020

Virat Kohli should play cricket only in India or retire to give chance to young players like Shubhman Gill.#RetireKohli#INDvsNZ https://t.co/HckWHhUYIx

— Steve Smith (@Steve_Smith_49) March 1, 2020

Steve Smith to Kohli after getting back the No.1 rank 🤡 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/RRQwuxLuBC

— ☄ (@Birmingham_144) March 1, 2020

Steven Smith’s Mental strength is evident the way he is playing after his re-return to cri key after #sandapergate , no doubt Kohli has lost his #1 ranking. Being aggressive is one thing and showing it with the bat is another. Cement track bullies and IPL glory kings #INDvsNZ

— VINAY (@vinaytalekar) March 1, 2020

Virat kohli always choked when India need him the most in immense pressure and kohli fans compared him to Great Steve Smith lol😂😂
Performing in immense pressure is beyond kohli's capacity soo don't expect from him 😅#NZvIND

— Jaydev Mishra (@MishraJaydev) March 1, 2020

Steve Smith is the best test batsman in the world 😊#Kohli

— Farco Polgore (@Blackazettee) March 1, 2020