"Virat Kohli just retire from cricket and give us some rest" - Fans react to ace batter's 9-ball duck on Day 2 of 1st IND vs NZ Test 2024

Virat Kohli continued his dismal Test form with a nine-ball duck on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Thursday, October 17, drawing fans' criticism. After no play on Day 1 due to rain, India won the toss under overcast conditions and elected to bat first.

After openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal played and missed a few times, a rush of blood cost the former his wicket. It brought Kohli to the crease in the seventh over with India at 9/1.

The 35-year-old left most of his first eight deliveries before pacer William O'Rourke got one to bounce from short of good length on off-stump. Kohli looked to defend the ball off his toes but only managed to get an inside edge as the ball went to Glenn Phillips at leg gully.

It was Kohli's first Test duck since being dismissed for no score against the same opponent in 2021. His Test form has been a matter of great concern, with the champion batter averaging a paltry 26.16 in seven innings this year.

Fans on X/Twitter could not hide their disappointment at Virat Kohli's extended failures and reacted with the following posts.

Fans continued to react to Kohli's poor run, with one writing:

"Expecting Kohli to hit another test peak like 2016-2019 is the same as expecting Pakistan to stop terrorism."

"Kohli is finished in tests in India. Never getting 50+ averages ever again. Literally nothing left him in tests," tweeted a fan.

"Virat Kohli was an absolute beast before 2019, a relentless run machine. But sadly, we’ve lost that version of him. These days, he might deliver in 3 out of 10 innings, but the aggression, the ability to adapt to any situation and the hunger to bat all day seem to be missing," wrote a fan.

Team India in dire straits on Day 2 against New Zealand

After the opening day of the first India-New Zealand Test in Bengaluru was completely washed out, the game got underway on Day 2.

However, Team India were immediately rocked by a disciplined New Zealand seam attack. After losing senior pros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the hosts also lost Sarfaraz Khan, who came into the playing XI in place of the injured Shubman Gill, for a three-ball duck.

Pacers Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and William O'Rourke each picked up a wicket to reduce India to 10/3 in the 10th over.

The Indian batters finally got some relief as rain stopped play, with Yashasvi Jaiswal battling on 8* off 37 balls and Rishabh Pant on 3* off 11. They are currently struggling at 13/3 in the 13th over with the covers in place due to light showers.