Adelaide, once Kohli's stronghold, shows the future of Australia's ODI games.

Adelaide, once Kohli's stronghold, shows the future of Australia's ODI games.

Virat Kohli’s Adelaide chapter ended quietly as Australia’s young stars lit up the series with flair

Virat Kohli has always had a special bond with Adelaide. It’s the one city in Australia—and maybe in the whole cricketing world—where he feels most at home. Whether it’s his favourite café on Hindley Street, the peaceful walk across the footbridge over the Torrens River, or the batting-friendly pitches at the Adelaide Oval, everything about the place seems to bring him comfort and joy. He even joked recently, “It’s a little bit my city also, no bro?” with a smile that said it all.

That’s why it was heartbreaking to see him walk back for a duck on Thursday, dismissed lbw by Xavier Bartlett after just four balls. It wasn’t just another low score—it felt like the end of a beautiful chapter. Kohli, who had lit up Adelaide for over a decade with match-winning knocks and iconic moments, left the field with his head bowed, raising his gloves in quiet acknowledgment. It was the first time in his ODI career he’d scored back-to-back ducks, and it happened at the ground he loved most.

In many ways, Kohli’s dismissal mirrored India’s series defeat. While India leaned on their veterans, hoping they could turn back time, Australia looked ahead. Their win was built by three young players—Matt Short, Cooper Connolly, and Mitch Owen—who played with freedom and confidence. Short set the tone at No.3, Connolly brought energy in the middle overs, and Owen finished things off with flair. These are players Australia is backing for the future, and they’re already delivering.

India, meanwhile, is still figuring out if Kohli and Rohit Sharma can carry on till the 2027 World Cup. Rohit did fight hard against Hazlewood’s testing spell, scratching his way to 30 off 62 balls before finding some rhythm. He hit a couple of sixes and looked better in the second half of his innings, but Starc’s pace ended his stay. Rohit was India’s top scorer, but questions remain about how long he can hold his spot at the top.

There’s also a quiet thought lingering—could Kohli’s ODI journey end in Sydney, just like his Test career did earlier this year? No one knows for sure, not even Kohli. But the contrast between him and the rising stars of Australia was clear. While Kohli and Rohit are trying to hold on, players like Connolly and Owen are just getting started.

Connolly came into the game with a highest ODI score of 7*, but his fearless batting helped Australia take control. Owen, who made headlines in the BBL 13 final, once again showed he’s ready for the big stage. And Bartlett, with an incredible bowling average of 11.13, added another feather to his cap by becoming the last bowler to dismiss Kohli at Adelaide.

It was a day that marked the beginning of something exciting for Australia—and perhaps the beginning of the end for a golden era in Indian ODI cricket.