On a difficult pitch at Perth, India's hopes of chasing down 287 to go 2-0 up in the four-match Test series rested heavily on a Virat Kohli batting masterclass.
But the Indian skipper failed to lead the chase as Nathan Lyon scalped him when he was batting on 17. Kohli was outfoxed once again by Lyon as he did not read the top-spinner which straightened after pitching. Kohli, playing for the off-spin which would turn towards him, edged the delivery which was comfortably pouched at first slip by Usman Khawaja.
Kohli is undoubtedly the best batsman in the world at the moment - perception says and so does the ICC rankings. But sometimes, his passion and desire to win makes him act in a way that does not endear him to the opposition and their fans.
Thus, as he departed without scoring too many runs, the Australian fans took to Twitter to heavily mock the Indian captain for almost everything he did and did not do in the ongoing Test match.
?? #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/L8F8shRehP
— Cricket Australia Fan (@CricketAustFan) December 17, 2018
More cheeky banter caught on the TV stump mic! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/pDbuJIfJJI
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018
See ya later big head! #kohli #AusvInd
— puntrdend? (@puntrdend17) December 17, 2018
Take that Virat. Laught that up. #AUSvIND
— Marine Boy (@CAEL8888) December 17, 2018
CYA KOHLI ??? #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/1KNrfEvKck
— Dylan Matthews (@DylanMatthews91) December 17, 2018
Do your talking walking Virat #AUSvIND
— Rob Smith (@rcssmedasmith) December 17, 2018
#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Qxv9XCGymx
— Matt Craig (@MattCraigDT) December 17, 2018
I think it carried? #AUSvIND
— Anthony Tucker (@ajtucks1) December 17, 2018
Pity that Paine didn't catch it.... would've been poetic justice... @imVkohli #ausvind #sendoff
— Paul (@buchy69) December 17, 2018
See ya Vi ? !!! #AUSvIND
— Joel (@_J0EL_) December 17, 2018
Tim Paine for “Australian of the Year” for just saying to the Indian Batsman “I know he’s your captain, but you can’t seriously like him as a bloke” about Kohli. Absolutely priceless #AUSvIND #Paine #Kohli #Aussiecaptain
— Greg Ryan (@gregmryan) December 17, 2018
Since @imVkohli 's bat is doing the talking, can we expect it to appear at the post-match press conference?#AUSvIND
— Greg Baum (@GregBaum) December 17, 2018
I think it carried? #AUSvIND
— Anthony Tucker (@ajtucks1) December 17, 2018
Tim Paine. What a sledge about Virat Kohli to his Indian teammates. “I know he’s your captain. But you can’t seriously like him as a bloke”? #AUSvIND #stumpmikegold
— Stephen Quartermain (@Quartermain10) December 17, 2018
Lyon then delivered a body blow by dismissing the well-set Murali Vijay by enticing him to drive a turning ball. The off-spinner pitched the ball on a rough patch and went through Vijay's expansive drive to castle his leg stump.
India is now staring at defeat with Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari batting at the crease.