Virat Kohli’s short stay at the crease in Adelaide has once again stirred the cricket world — not for his performance, but for what came after. Following his second consecutive duck, the Indian cricket star raised his right hand and gave a quiet wave to the Adelaide crowd. The gesture, simple yet emotional, has triggered widespread speculation that it may have been a silent farewell.
Adelaide Oval has always been special for Kohli. It’s the venue where he’s scored the most runs outside India — a massive 975 runs across formats. But on Wednesday, after just a four-ball stay, his walk back to the pavilion and that subtle wave had fans and experts wondering — was this his final goodbye?
Fans Question: Was It a Retirement Goodbye to ODIs?
Social media platforms were flooded with reactions moments after Kohli’s dismissal. Hashtags like #KohliRetirement and #AdelaideGoodbye began trending as fans debated whether the gesture meant he was hinting at retirement from ODIs.
Virat Kohli says goodbye to the Adelaide Oval and the fans. pic.twitter.com/S53pQa78iv
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 23, 2025
“Was this the last time Kohli walked off at Adelaide?” asked one fan on X. Another wrote, “Please say it’s not goodbye, King Kohli.”
The 35-year-old had already announced his retirement from T20Is and Tests earlier this year. His ODI future, however, has remained uncertain, especially as India begins to rebuild for the next ICC cycle.
Consecutive Ducks Add to the Speculation
Kohli’s form since returning from his seven-month break has not been ideal. In the first ODI at Optus Stadium in Perth, he was dismissed for a painful eight-ball duck — his first in the format in over two years. The delivery, angled across by Mitchell Starc, caught the outside edge and flew straight to backward point.
Three days later, at Adelaide Oval, things didn’t get better. Facing Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett, Kohli fell to an incoming delivery that hit him plumb in front. After a short conversation with Rohit Sharma, Kohli chose not to review — a decision that proved correct, as the ball tracker showed it hitting middle stump.
For the first time in his international career, Kohli registered back-to-back ducks, adding another layer of uncertainty to his future.
Virat Kohli’s Relationship with Adelaide Oval
Kohli’s bond with the Adelaide Oval is deeply emotional. It was here he made his mark with a stunning century on Test debut as captain in 2014. His dominance at the venue has been unmatched — both statistically and sentimentally.
That’s why his brief wave after Wednesday’s dismissal felt different. It wasn’t the usual frustration or disappointment. It looked like a moment of reflection, maybe even closure.
What’s Ahead for Kohli?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to make any comment on Kohli’s future in ODIs. With India preparing for a transition phase, speculation continues to grow about whether Kohli is ready to end his 15-year-long ODI journey.
For now, fans can only hope that Adelaide was not the last time they saw the Indian legend walk out in blue. But if it was, the quiet wave may well go down as one of the most poignant goodbyes in modern cricket.
