Xavier Bartlett's classy act after Aussie bowler cops awful treatment from Virat Kohli fans

Xavier Bartlett paid a classy tribute to Virat Kohli after dismissing the Indian legend for a duck on Thursday - the first time Kohli has suffered back-to-back ducks in his ODI career. But it didn't stop the Aussie star from copping some awful treatment online from Indian cricket fanatics.

Bartlett trapped Kohli lbw for a four-ball duck in the second ODI between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval. It marked the first time in Kohli's illustrious career that he's failed to register a score in consecutive ODI innings, after also falling for a duck in Perth.

Bartlett showed he's a star in the making by capturing 3-39 from 10 overs, snaring key wickets of Kohli, Shubman Gill (9) and Washington Sundar (12). Speaking to Fox Cricket, he had a classy response to his dismissal of Kohli - which would have been a highlight of his career so far.

"Probably one of the best white-ball players of all time," the Aussie said. "Lucky to get him, I tried to bowl an out-swinger, and it nipped back. Probably a bit of pure luck, but nice to see the back of him early."

Xavier Bartlett cops horrible treatment online

But the kind words didn't stop Bartlett receiving a torrent of hate on social media. The 26-year-old's latest Instagram post, which happened to be of him playing against Kohli in the IPL back in June, was hijacked by irate Indian cricket fans.

Kohli has a legion of loyal supporters in the cricket-mad India, and they didn't take kindly to Bartlett dismissing the 'king'. Some comments went way too far, with a number of awful comments and even some threats directed at Bartlett. The Aussie's post had over 4000 comments on Friday morning, the majority of which were made on Thursday night.

Virat Kohli's career coming to an end

Indian fans are particularly sensitive to the Kohli situation as it looks like his career is coming to an end. The 36-year-old has already retired from Test and T20 cricket, and is hoping to play on until the ODI World Cup in 2027.

But he gave a small wave to the Adelaide Oval crowd after his dismissal on Thursday, that seemed to suggest he won't be back. Kohli has a sensational record and many happy memories in Adelaide, and thanked the crowd when they clapped him off the field.

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Kohli and fellow Indian veteran Rohit Sharma won't feature in the five-game Twenty20 series to follow the ODIs. "It's pretty cool to share the field with such a legend of the sport," Matt Short said of Kohli before the second ODI.

"I'll definitely get the chance to have a chat to him at some stage throughout the series. But it's going to be a cool way for him to go out, especially with so many fans here in Australia.

"When Rohit or (Shubman) Gill got out the other day (in Perth), and then Kohli came on, just the cheer when he was walking on - you'd feel pretty bad as the batter walking off. It's just an amazing experience."

Bartlett's three wickets helped restrict India to 9-264 from their 50 overs. Short then made 74 off 78, and Cooper Connolly 61 not out of 53, as the Aussies chased down the target with 22 balls to spare and two wickets in hand.

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