After five back-to-back victories, hosts India face defending champions England at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. In the 29th game of the tournament, England skipper Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bowl first. His decision went well with the team, as the English pacers clinched three quick wickets and pushed India way back in the game.
Pacer Chris Woakes dismissed opener Shubman Gill after scoring nine runs off 13 balls with the help of a boundary. However, the biggest setback came three overs later, as David Willey dismissed former India skipper Virat Kohli for a nine-ball duck. With this wicket, a fully crowded Ekana went silent.
It’s worth noting that this is Kohli’s first-ever duck in ODI World Cup history. His 56-inning streak of scoring runs ended at a crucial stage. With this duck, Kohli also equalled the unwanted record of legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli now has 34 ducks in international cricket, the most by an Indian batter. India skipper Rohit Sharma, with 30 ducks, is in fourth place.
Can India continue their winning run in the CWC23?
Despite some early hiccups, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul stitched a partnership to rescue India. Both batters added 91 runs off the fourth wicket in 19 overs. Rahul, in his innings, scored 39 runs off 58 balls with the help of three fours. However, Rohit, in his innings, scored an unbeaten 82 runs off 90 balls with the help of ten fours and three sixes.
At the end of 32 overs, India was struggling to build another partnership as they had scored 141/4. Rohit was unbeaten at 82, while new batter Suryakumar Yadav was trying to get his eyes set on the wicket. It’s worth noting that a win here will ensure India’s place in the semifinals. While a loss here will eliminate defending champion England from the ongoing tournament,
Here is how fans react to Virat Kohli’s duck:
Audience Reaction after Kohli Departs pic.twitter.com/XdWT5qKIyH
— AB (@ABHllI) October 29, 2023
Now is the real test of Team INDIA ??
How they perform under pressure in the absence of Virat Kohli and
How they perform batting first?
In hindsight it's good that they are put under pressure in league match rather than semis or finals— Pradeep Rawat?? (@ThePradeepRawat) October 29, 2023
14 dot balls got him under pressure pic.twitter.com/uChEmNhm8T
— Amrit Chandravanshi (@Ek_Indian07) October 29, 2023
Just a bad day at the office. Not a big deal King Kohli. You will smash in the next ones as usual. #INDvENG #CWC23 #ENGvIND
— RAJESH-SWD (@iamrajeshjena) October 29, 2023
BCCI to Lucknow people pic.twitter.com/cQHLv8MfWH
— Abhay ?? (@InfinityAbhay) October 29, 2023
No need of scoring in this useless match.
Well played king kohli #INDvsENG— Kumar (@InnoncentKumar) October 29, 2023
Time to Turn offTV.??
— Tushar N. (@Tussh_aar) October 29, 2023
— Piyush (@piyushmaybe) October 29, 2023
Someone should've told Kohli that we were chasing 350!
Anyway King! Not today, then tomorrow!?
— Manthan (@manthanojha_) October 29, 2023