Virat Kohli advised to 'avoid arguing with himself' after maiden ODI duck in Australia

Virat Kohli advised to 'avoid arguing with himself' after maiden ODI duck in Australia (AFP Photo)

Virat Kohli didn't have the best start to his international return. He scored an eight-ball duck and the top-order failure ensured Australia comfortably steamroll the Men In Blue by seven wickets as per the DLS method in the first ODI against Australia in Perth on Sunday.

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden expressed no concern about Kohli's batting, who now only plays one format, but highlighted an area that the talismanic batter should avoid.

"Virat Kohli's striking ability and contact points are exceptional. After scoring 14,000 runs in this format, there's little to question about his approach, as he consistently plays the ball on the rise and finds timing early," Hayden noted during an interaction on Star Sports.

“One thing I hope he avoids is arguing with himself and overthinking, which can lead to mistakes. He is destructive when he has clarity, certainty, and the ability to read the game — qualities his experience provides,” he added.

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There have been plenty of talks around Kohli and Rohit Sharma's future and their participation in the next ODI World Cup, which will be played in 2027 in South Africa. Rohit and Kohli have retired from Tests and T20Is within the last 18 months.

While Kohli didn't trouble the scorers, Rohit could only manage 8(14) before edging the ball to the slip cordon off Josh Hazlewood's bowling.

India limped to a total of 136/5 after rain halted the visitors' innings four times and reduced the fixture to 26 overs each. In response, Australia's stand-in captain Mitchell Marsh walloped an unbeaten 46 to steer the hosts to a seven-wicket win and their first ODI win at Perth's Optus Stadium.

India will next clash with Australia on Thursday at the Adelaide Oval, in Adelaide.

- with ANI inputs