Virat Kohli’s Perth Duck Teaches Matt Renshaw a Valuable Lesson

During India’s tour of Australia, Virat Kohli’s rare failure in Perth became a source of calm and inspiration for Australian debutant Matt Renshaw. As nerves crept in before his first ODI innings, seeing the Indian star dismissed for a duck reminded Renshaw that even the greatest players have off days, and that failure is an inherent part of the game.

Renshaw, who made his ODI debut on October 19 in Perth, admitted he initially felt nervous stepping onto the field. “Even the other night, I was a bit anxious because I hadn’t batted in one-day cricket for a while. Virat Kohli made a duck, and he is the best in this format. That reminded me that it’s okay to fail. You can’t chase perfection in cricket – no one has ever perfected it,” he said.

Kohli, who has scored over 14,000 ODI runs, returned to international cricket after a six-month break but struggled on a fast and bouncy Optus Stadium pitch. The Indian captain fell for an eight-ball duck against Mitchell Starc, edging a delivery outside off stump to the point fielder. While Kohli’s return was challenging, it offered Renshaw a timely lesson in resilience.

Renshaw, 29, remained unbeaten with 21 runs off 24 balls as Australia comfortably chased down a 131-run target, winning the series opener by seven wickets in a rain-affected 26-over match.

Life Lessons from Cricket and Family

After a career that began with promise in 2017, Renshaw faced several setbacks, including long gaps from the national team. Consistent domestic performances have now brought him back into contention. Reflecting on his approach, Renshaw explained how he manages pressure and maintains focus:

“I’ve learned that someone else scoring runs doesn’t change how I play. It’s about helping my team win, not validating myself. Earlier, I tied my self-worth to performance, but now I focus on my family, raising kids, and staying grounded. Cricket is important, but it’s not my entire world,” he said.

Renshaw has also taken steps to protect his mental space, avoiding social media and cricket news distractions, allowing him to concentrate solely on his game.

India and Australia will clash in the second ODI in Adelaide, where Kohli has enjoyed notable success in the past. Renshaw’s debut experience serves as a reminder that even cricketing legends like Kohli can inspire others through their successes—and their rare setbacks.