top-three
A Rare Top-Three Failure for India in Virat Kohli’s 300th ODI
March 2025 marked a milestone in Indian cricket history with Virat Kohli playing his 300th One-Day International (ODI) match. The iconic Indian batsman has seen it all in the world of cricket — from record-breaking centuries to being the backbone of India’s top-order. However, in this landmark match, the Indian team faced a rare top-three collapse, a scenario that was almost unthinkable given the consistency and dominance displayed by the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Kohli himself.
In ODIs, the top three of India, consisting of Rohit Sharma (opener), Shikhar Dhawan (opener), and Virat Kohli (number three), have been a formidable force for over a decade. Their ability to provide solid starts and anchor the innings has been crucial in India’s success in the format. But on this occasion, things went terribly wrong, and the team faced an unusual situation where all three of them failed to deliver when it mattered the most.
The Set-Up: Kohli’s 300th ODI
Virat Kohli’s 300th ODI was a highly anticipated game, not only for his milestone but also because it was a key fixture in a competitive series. The match was set to showcase the brilliance of the top three Indian batsmen, but as the game unfolded, it became clear that something was amiss.
Kohli’s career had already been built on consistency, skill, and temperament. In his 299 previous matches, he had accumulated runs at an exceptional rate, setting records along the way. He was also known for his ability to guide India to victory in challenging conditions. His 300th game was expected to be yet another classic Kohli performance. Unfortunately, fate had other plans for him.
The Top-Three Collapse
As the game progressed, the Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were both dismissed cheaply, leaving Kohli with an early challenge. While it is not uncommon for one of the openers to fall early, the failure of both Sharma and Dhawan raised eyebrows. Sharma, a man renowned for his effortless six-hitting and ability to score big in ODIs, failed to time the ball, getting out for a paltry score. Dhawan, who had been in decent form leading up to the game, too struggled to find his rhythm and was dismissed early.
This set the stage for Kohli, who came in at No. 3. Given the way the top order had failed, there was extra pressure on Kohli to step up, especially considering the expectations surrounding his 300th ODI. Known for his ability to handle pressure situations, Kohli tried to stabilize the innings, but he too found himself struggling against the opposition’s bowlers.
Kohli, often referred to as one of the best chasers in ODI cricket, was never one to falter in tough conditions. However, on this particular day, the challenge proved too much for him. With a sense of urgency, he found himself playing uncharacteristically rash shots. In what was a rare failure for him, Kohli was dismissed before he could make a meaningful contribution. This sudden collapse of the Indian top order, particularly with all three key players failing, created a rare moment of uncertainty in the Indian batting lineup.
Statistical Overview of the Top-Three’s Collapse
The Indian top order’s collapse was an anomaly in the recent history of Indian cricket. Let’s break down the statistics of these three players leading up to this match:
- Rohit Sharma: The Indian opener had been in great form in the 2020s, with several hundreds and match-winning knocks in ODIs. However, his failure in this match was a rare blip. Sharma has been India’s most prolific opener in ODIs, and his ability to hit big hundreds has been crucial to India’s batting strategy.
- Shikhar Dhawan: Like Sharma, Dhawan has been a consistent performer for India at the top of the order. While he may not have been in the same kind of red-hot form as Sharma or Kohli in the previous months, he remained a reliable figure. His failure in this match, however, was emblematic of how even the most experienced players sometimes have off days.
- Virat Kohli: Kohli’s inconsistency was perhaps the most shocking of the three failures. Kohli, widely regarded as the modern-day master of the chase, has had an unmatched ability to adapt to different situations and perform under pressure. In his 300 ODIs, Kohli had a staggering average of over 50, with 46 centuries — the most by any Indian player in ODI cricket. But on this day, he fell short, and the Indian team was left reeling in unfamiliar territory.
Factors Behind the Top-Three Failure
There could be several reasons for such an unexpected collapse.
- Pressure of the Occasion: Kohli’s 300th ODI was a significant milestone in his career, and with the kind of attention and pressure that came with it, the Indian batsmen may have struggled to handle the expectation. For all of Kohli’s achievements, he has always been open about the mental pressure that comes with representing India. On a day when India needed a solid start, the weight of the occasion might have impacted the players.
- Opposition’s Bowling Attack: The opposition bowlers played a key role in dismissing the Indian top order. They were disciplined, accurate, and executed their plans to perfection. This demonstrated that no matter how formidable the Indian batsmen are, they are not invincible, especially on a given day when the conditions are in favor of the bowlers.
- Unfavorable Conditions: The conditions on the day of the match were not particularly in favor of the batsmen. Whether it was the swing of the ball, the damp outfield, or the wicket playing tricks, the Indian top-order batsmen struggled to adjust. With their failure to adapt, the top order found themselves back in the dressing room quickly.
- Lack of Partnerships: One of the key elements of successful batting in ODIs is building partnerships. With the early dismissals of the top order, India could never establish a solid partnership, which allowed the pressure to mount on the middle and lower order.
The Aftermath: How India Dealt with the Collapse
After the early setbacks, the middle-order batsmen, led by the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant, were tasked with the responsibility of rebuilding the innings. Despite the rare failure of the top order, India’s middle order showed resilience, and they managed to post a competitive total, although they fell short in the end.
While the loss was disappointing, the game did highlight the importance of depth in the Indian batting lineup. The team’s reliance on the top three has often been a double-edged sword — when they fail, the middle order is left to pick up the pieces.
Conclusion
In conclusion, India’s top-three failure in Virat Kohli’s 300th ODI match was a rare and unexpected turn of events. While this collapse was shocking, it reminded fans and analysts alike that even the best teams can have off days. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shikhar Dhawan have all been pillars of Indian cricket for years, and a single failure does not define their careers. They remain vital to India’s success in ODIs, and this rare occurrence will likely serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the game. India will hope that their top order bounces back in the following matches, continuing their tradition of dominance in world cricket.
