Senior Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma faced a tough return to international cricket in the first ODI against Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth. Both players, coming back after a short break, struggled and fell early in their innings. Kohli was out for a duck, while Rohit could only manage eight runs. They found it challenging to deal with the pace and bounce from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
Their quick dismissals raised concerns, especially highlighted by former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan. Pathan pointed out similarities with their struggles during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2024–25. Rohit was caught off guard by Hazlewood’s extra bounce, while Kohli once again fell prey to a delivery moving away from him, a recurring weakness in recent times.
Pathan, speaking on his YouTube channel post-match, suggested that inadequate game time and preparation might have led to India’s top-order woes. He emphasized the importance of acclimatizing to Australian conditions before the series began.
Reflecting on the match, Pathan said, “Fitness and game time are crucial factors. Rohit seemed unsettled, and Virat seemed to face familiar challenges. It’s essential to avoid these issues in upcoming matches in Adelaide and Sydney. KL Rahul performed well today, while Shreyas Iyer faced some difficulties with his technique. Axar Patel has shown his batting prowess whenever given the chance.”
He added, “When touring such countries, early arrival and practice matches are beneficial. India faced a tough challenge due to lack of preparation. Both bowlers and batters struggled with the conditions. Playing warm-up matches could have avoided these mistakes. It’s vital to consider these aspects moving forward.”
In the previous Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli and Rohit had a tough time during India’s tour of Australia in 2024-25, resulting in a series loss. The disappointing performance expedited their retirement from Test cricket.
Following the defeat in Perth, the Indian team has moved to Adelaide for the second ODI, aiming for a stronger display, especially from the experienced players. Despite the initial setback, the team management is likely to stick with the current batting lineup for the remaining matches, showing confidence in the players to bounce back and gain momentum as the series progresses.