Wade-Kohli clash in 2017 (Source: @7Sport/x.com)
Beyond the undisputed cricketing brilliance, the indomitable spirit is something that often made the Australian side stand out among all. Over the years, the cricketing world has seen its fire light up countless matches, but some contests, especially against India, have become truly iconic.
Every clash between the Kangaroos and Men in Blue is spiced with a thrilling game of nerves. Fans have long savored Virat Kohli’s fiery aggression, watching the veteran Indian batter ensure that Australia’s dominance is never allowed to take center stage.
Among the many intense battles Virat Kohli has had with Australia, his legendary face-off with Matthew Wade over a single has gone down in cricketing history. As another India-Australia series is knocking on the door, let’s relive the fiery moment.
Kohli’s swift single sparks drama with Wade
Over the years, with time, grit, and excellence, India and Australia have become two major forces of the cricket world. When these giants clash on the 22 yards, the thrill goes beyond the boundaries of the game. Beyond the spectacular cricket, it’s the heated battles, fierce rivalries, and moments of high drama that seize the nerves of fans.
While India and Australia were facing each other in the second ODI of the five-match ODI series in Kolkata, another edition of the India-Australia rivalry unfolded. India’s innings stumbled early, with Rohit Sharma departing for just 7, but the Men in Blue found their footing through a masterful 102-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.
But the drama ignited in the 33rd over, when Stoinis was bowling and Kohli was on strike. On one delivery, Aussie wicketkeeper Matthew Wade fumbled while collecting the ball, leaving it momentarily unchecked. Seizing the opportunity, Kohli took a quick single, and that didn’t sit well with Wade.
Even though Wade was in pain, he didn’t lose the opportunity to sledge the Indian skipper. On the stump mic, Wade was caught saying, “I might have a cry like you. I might go to the dressing rooms and have a good cry like you.” Kohli didn’t hold back as he fired back, but that reaction was not caught.
The tension didn’t end with Wade; Stoinis too got involved, exchanging heated words with Kohli, turning the moment into an instant classic. The cricket world was divided into two parts as some stood with Kohli and some backed Wade. In the history of India-Australia face-offs, the instance became forever iconic.
.jpg)
King lets his bat speak louder
As the heated face-off between two legends sparked enough drama in the match, adding Kohli's essence to the game was pending. With Australia pressing hard and trying to dominate, Kohli stood resolute, a wall between their ambitions and India’s hopes. After completing the crucial half-century, he targeted a well-deserved century, but later it was shattered.
Virat Kohli attacked every corner of the Eden Gardens, and the Kolkata crowd was swept up in pure Kohli mania. Finally, in the 38th over, Coulter-Nile dismissed Kohli in 92 runs in 107 balls with eight boundaries.
After India set a target of 252 runs, Australia ended their innings on 202 runs and faced a 50-run innings. On that day, Virat Kohli may have missed a century, but his 91-run knock was a living nightmare for the Aussies.
.jpg?type=mq "Key decisions that DC should make")
