Virat Kohli, dismissed for a duck in the series opener in Perth, will be looking to bounce back at the Adelaide Oval (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: Australia batsman Matthew Short believes his team’s pacers will continue to target Virat Kohli outside the stumps when India take on Australia in the second ODI on Thursday. Kohli, dismissed for a duck in the series opener in Perth, will be looking to bounce back at the Adelaide Oval, his most successful overseas venue with five international centuries and an average of 65 across formats.“I’m not on fast-bowling dates, but that seems to have been the way he’s been getting out recently,” Short told reporters.
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“Some guys like ‘Hoff’ (Josh Hazlewood) and ‘Starcy’ (Mitchell Starc) bowled a lot against him, they know what they’re doing. They kind of let the conditions do all the work in Perth, a bit of swing and cuts at the wicket, so I’m sure they’ll do the same again.”India enjoyed an overwhelming support of 42,423 spectators at the Optus Stadium during the first ODI, most of whom came to see Rohit Sharma and Kohli return to action after more than seven months. After retiring from Tests and T20Is, the former captains returned to the ODI squad for the first time since winning the Champions Trophy on March 9.“When Rohit or (Shubman) Gill came on (in Perth) the other day, and then Kohli came on, just the cheering as he walked on – you’d feel pretty bad when the batter was leaving. It’s just an amazing experience,” Short added.Both Rohit and Kohli looked rusty, scoring 8 and 0 respectively, as Australian opener Mitchell Marsh led from the front with an unbeaten 46 to secure a seven-wicket win in a rain-affected match. India now lead the series 0-1, so Thursday’s Adelaide ODI is a must to stay alive – and possibly the duo’s final match in Australia.“But it will be a great way for him to go out, especially with so many fans here in Australia,” Short said.“It’s pretty cool to share the field with such a legend of the sport. I’ll definitely get a chance to chat with him at some point in the series.”In short, this white-ball series also serves as a preparation for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa. The right-hander has faced injuries and role fluctuations, going from No. 8 on debut to No. 3 in the current series, and is still searching for form.“It’s always going to be tough to get a place in the playing XI and I’ll take anything, whether it’s opening, batting at three or wherever. It’s just about staying flexible and trying to bat wherever you are and being able to take it,” he said.Meanwhile, Ben Dwarshuis has been ruled out of the ODI series with a calf injury, but he hopes to return for the T20Is from October 29 in Canberra. The final ODI will be played in Sydney on Saturday.
