Live Score IND vs AUS, 1st ODI: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return; Shubman Gill steps into leadership spotlight as India take on Australia in Perth
Kohli and Rohit are back in national colors after participating in the Champions Trophy in March – a seven-month period that saw Indian cricket evolve significantly.
During their absence, the team learned to function without them, at least in the shorter formats. Their return now raises an obvious question: What do these two veterans bring to the team at this point in their careers?
Few would dispute that Kohli and Rohit are among the greatest ODI batters of any generation. Both have been working hard to prepare for this comeback: Rohit is visibly slimmer and looks fitter than ever, while Kohli is training in London with a personal trainer.
Their biggest challenge, however, will be shaking off the rust from the IPL, their last competitive appearance.
It might help if their comeback comes against Australia – an opponent who has often brought out the best in them over the years. This three-match ODI series could serve as a barometer of their hunger and ability to extend their careers as specialists in a unique format.
Rohit’s new reality
Unlike Kohli, Rohit has to adjust to life as just a senior player, and no longer a captain. His recent white-ball and Test stints have ended in triumph, having led India to ICC titles and success in all formats.
If the two veterans can find their touch again – Kohli with his masterful accuracy and Rohit with his effortless stroke play – they could yet remain central to India’s plans.
But the duo also knows that the days of automatic selection are over. The current selectors have shown themselves ready to take bold decisions with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind.
As chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar suggested at the NDTV Global Summit:
“They (Rohit and Kohli) are part of the Australian team. They are not on trial. Once they start playing, you evaluate. But we have some ideas, and we will probably have a better idea of how the team is progressing.”
Gill’s Burden of Expectations
As veterans look toward a second wind, the future belongs to Gill. Yet he will carry the weight of their legacy.
At 26, Gill has already shown that he can match Kohli’s class of batting, especially during the England tour. Now he must prove that he can emulate Rohit’s leadership record – a remarkable 75% win rate, the best for an Indian ODI captain.
Whether he likes it or not, Gill will constantly be compared to his predecessors. Facing Australia, even without Pat Cummins, will be a tough first test for the new skipper. Success here could solidify his leadership credentials and further boost his confidence as a hitter.
Team combination
India are unlikely to tinker with their successful opening pair of Rohit and Gill, with Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting in the wings. Kohli will occupy the third spot, followed by Shreyas Iyer and wicketkeeper KL Rahul.
With Hardik Pandya unavailable due to injury, Nitish Kumar Reddy is all set for his first ODI cap as an all-rounder. Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna will compete for a place alongside Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh in the pace attack, while Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are expected to handle the spin duties.
For Australia, stand-in skipper Mitchell Marsh will look to young faces like Cooper Connolly, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Renshaw to support Travis Head – a constant thorn in India’s side.
Squads
India: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (week), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (week), Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc.
