India, Oct. 23 -- Until five nights back, in 29 One-Day International innings in Australia, Virat Kohli boasted five centuries and six other 50-plus knocks. He also had eight single-digit scores but had avoided the dreaded duck, every batter's worst nightmare.

Two games into the three-match showdown against the home side, the former Indian captain now has two noughts. His much-anticipated return to international cricket has lasted a mere 12 deliveries, not the kind of comeback he or his multitude of fans would have envisaged when the Indians landed in Perth just over a week ago.

On Sunday at the Optus Stadium, bogged down by seven scoreless deliveries, the 36-year-old went searching at a widish delivery from Mitchell Starc, driving on t...