Virat Kohli’s cheeky act for India in the third ODI against Australia

Indian great Virat Kohli, who came into the third one-dayer under a fair bit of pressure, had the perfect response at the SCG.

Virat Kohli has produced the perfect response after the Indian superstar entered Saturday’s third One-Day International against Australia under a fair amount of pressure.

Australia won the toss and batted, restricted to just 236 all out at the SCG led by Matt Renshaw’s half-century, with India cruising to victory by nine wickets as the visitors avoided a sweep in the three-game series.

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Fellow veteran Rohit Sharma (121 not out) smashed a superb ton for India, but Kohli (74no) was the man of the moment after he fell for a duck in the first one-dayer in Perth – his first on Australian soil – and then another scoreless knock in game two in Adelaide.

It meant even at the ripe age of 36 and with more than 27,000 combined international runs to his name, Kohli had an additional spotlight on him as he attempted to avoid what would have been a disastrous third straight donut.

Virat Kohli waves at the crowd during game three at the SCG. (Photo by Ayush Kumar/Getty Images)

Thousands were there to pay their respects to the Indian great. (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP)

A huge pro-India crowd packed into the SCG for what could have been Kohli’s final match on Australian soil and all eyes were on the King when he faced his first ball to big quick Josh Hazlewood.

“The first time in his one-day international career he’s made consecutive ducks,” Mark Howard said on Fox Cricket.

“Hazlewood is the best match-up and he has ball in hand, so a challenge for the King.”

Ravi Shastri added: “There’ll be some nerves there.”

But one of the best players in cricket history is made of stern stuff, pushing the first delivery he faced to mid wicket for the simplest of singles as his horror run was immediately forgotten.

Often painted as a serious character, Kohli also showed a lighter side, pulling out a cheeky little fist pump before a grin spread over his face.

Later in the match, when highlights of Kohli’s 50-run stand with Rohit Sharma was being played, Adam Gilchrist said: “What we didn’t see from that montage of highlights was Virat Kohli getting off the mark.

“He gave a fist pump, he was as aware or more aware than anyone else in the world that for the first time in his long esteemed career, he’d had back to back ducks.”

Shastri responded: “I think the crowd loved it. They realised he’s got a sense of humour.

“It was a big relief too. It’s a long way to come not to score a run.”

Kohli gets off the mark as the crowd erupts. (Photo by Saeed KHAN/AFP)

Kohli survived one scare in his innings, with Australia reviewing a not-out LBW from Nathan Ellis that proved closer than most predicted.

“Less than half the ball hitting the stumps,” Howard said.

“It was a lot closer than everyone expected.

“So less than half the ball hitting the top of the bails, not out. More than half the ball, out.

“Explain that to first-time viewers.”

Kohli was seen mouthing “really?” to the replay, but in truth he was rarely troubled in a knock that showed he still has something to offer in the ODI arena, having retired from Test and T20 cricket.

A cheeky fist pump after he got off the mark. Photo: Fox Sports

Followed by a wry grin. Photo: Fox Sports

It was also no surprise Kohli was trending all over social media.

Former Australian cricketer Lisa Sthaleker posted a video of Kohli coming onto the ground to begin his knock on X with the caption: “When you get to witness Kohli walk onto the SCG for the last time.”

X account AkCricTalks wrote: “Never ever has anyone been cheered like that for a single run.

“Standing ovation for the king.”

@CricCrazyJohns tweeted: “A cheeky celebration by Kohli after taking one run.”

Statistics of Cricket wrote: “Virat is also laughing like he has completed a century.”

Aditya Agarwal offered: “Made me emotional as much as the whole crowd.”

The two giants of Indian cricket shared a dominant 168-run partnership as they blunted the Australian attack and romped to victory ahead of a T20 series between the two teams starting in Canberra on Wednesday.