"This time no Rohit Sharma to blame on" - Fans slam Virat Kohli for another low score in 5th BGT 2024-25 Test

Ace Indian batter Virat Kohli continued his batting struggles in the second innings of the crucial fifth Test against Australia in Sydney. The 36-year-old was dismissed for a 12-ball six by Scott Boland in a repeat of the first innings.

Kohli once again nicked a ball well outside off-stump, only to be caught by Steve Smith at second slip. It was his sixth dismissal by the same mode in seven innings in this series.

Kohli has been in dismal Test form since 2020, with only three centuries in 69 innings and an average of under 31. The veteran batter seemingly broke out of his slump with an unbeaten century in the second innings of the opening Test at Perth.

However, he is yet to cross 40 in the next seven innings, resulting in his overall series average finishing at 23.75 with 190 runs.

Fans on Twitter were left fuming by Kohli's frailties outside the off-stump and his repeated failures and reacted as follows:

Fans continued slamming Kohli for another low score with one saying:

"At this rate he will have to play as many tests as he has played till now to reach 10000 runs in test cricket."

"Kohli finishes a horrible year and starts with a horrendous yet again. Hard pitches, but there has to be a counter to his horrors, if not it's gonna keep happening. Kohli has a clear weakness against spin for years now and that takes Indian pitches out, and now Australia as well," tweeted a fan.

"Drop Kohli. Period! No ifs n buts. Unless he plays domestic red ball cricket and solves his issue of control, don't even let him close to the Indian team. 0 patience. He is disgraceful!" a fan said.

Virat Kohli's dismissal leaves Sydney Test hanging in the balance

Virat Kohli's early dismissal left the fifth and final Test at Sydney delicately poised on the second day. After scoring only 185 in their first innings, India produced an inspired bowling performance to bowl Australia out for 181.

India got off to a positive start of 42/0 in their second innings before Boland picked up three consecutive wickets to leave them reeling at 59/3. Debutant Beau Webster then removed Shubman Gill to reduce India to 78/4 with an overall lead of 82.

With Australia leading the series 2-1, the outcome of the ongoing clash has much significance, with the winner capturing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

As things stand, India have marched ahead at 124/4, thanks to a blistering half-century from Rishabh Pant (61* off 31).