Watch: Hazlewood strikes big as Kohli falls early in Perth

Virat Kohli's innings ended prematurely during the ongoing Test match at Perth as Josh Hazlewood delivered a fiery spell. Known for his resilience, Kohli struggled to settle against the relentless Australian pacers. Facing just 12 balls, Kohli managed 5 runs before a sharp delivery from Hazlewood led to his dismissal, marking a significant breakthrough for the hosts.

Hazlewood strikes big to remove Virat Kohli

Hazlewood, bowling with precision and extracting extra bounce from the lively Perth pitch, kept Kohli on his toes. The decisive moment came in the 17th over. Hazlewood bowled a hard-length delivery just outside off-stump that reared off the pitch, catching Kohli by surprise. Attempting to steer clear of the line, Kohli inadvertently edged the ball, and Usman Khawaja at first slip took a comfortable catch.

Extra bounce from Hazlewood - Kohli's back in the sheds for five #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/6M5DjgOqrV

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 22, 2024

India in trouble as early wickets fall
India’s batting lineup has struggled against Australia’s seam attack on a pitch offering plenty of assistance to the bowlers. After an engaging first hour of play, Kohli’s dismissal left India at 18/3, with KL Rahul and incoming batters shouldering the responsibility of stabilizing the innings.

The Australian pace trio of Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins has consistently exploited the conditions, making life difficult for the Indian batters. With the ball seaming and bouncing off the deck, the Indian lineup faces a steep challenge ahead to recover and post a competitive score.

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Despite his early dismissal, Virat Kohli holds the distinction of having the highest batting average for an Asian batsman at Perth, boasting an impressive 52.80, surpassing even the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who averaged 37.66 at this venue. However, today marked an unusual low for Kohli, as he was dismissed for a single digit for the first time in his career at Perth, highlighting the exceptional challenge posed by the Australian bowlers on this lively surface.