India is gearing up to face Australia in an exciting three-game ODI series commencing on October 19, with fans eagerly anticipating the comeback of star batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The duo, who retired from T20Is following India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph and stepped away from Test cricket earlier this year, will now focus solely on ODIs. Their return has sparked considerable excitement, expected to enhance both stadium attendance and TV viewership.
Kohli and Rohit were last seen on the international stage during the Champions Trophy in March, playing pivotal roles in India’s tournament victory. Their mid-IPL 2025 Test retirements rendered them specialists in one format, making this series against Australia their first competitive appearance since then. These matches are seen as an opportunity to evaluate their form and fitness leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, also offering fans a final glimpse of two of India’s most decorated players in action.
The BCCI has entrusted ODI captaincy to Shubman Gill, signifying a clear shift towards the next generation of Indian cricket. However, the board and selectors are eager to capitalize on Rohit and Kohli’s experience, counting on their presence to offer leadership and guidance to younger teammates. On a demanding Australian tour, the mentorship of this legendary duo could be invaluable to Gill as he takes on his first role as ODI captain, both on and off the field.
As the series nears, all eyes will be on whether India’s iconic pair can uphold their high standards in ODIs and continue shaping India’s cricketing fortunes in this new phase.
The first ODI between India and Australia is scheduled for October 19 at Perth’s Optus Stadium, with the toss at 8:30 AM IST and the match starting at 9:00 AM IST. Indian cricket enthusiasts can catch the live action on the Star Sports network and livestream the match on the JioHotstar app and website.