It was not the Sunday Indian followers had hoped for. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli faltered on their much-anticipated ODI comebacks, each falling throughout the first hour of the collection opener towards Australia on the Optus Stadium in Perth. Rohit, returning to worldwide cricket after six months, managed simply 8 runs off 14 deliveries. Kohli, in the meantime, was dismissed for an eight-ball duck.
It was Kohli’s first duck in one-day worldwide cricket in Australia because the ex-captain seemed disgusted as he walked again to the pavilion.
Perth ODI, IND vs AUS: Updates , rating card
Australia’s tempo duo, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, struck early blows after the hosts elected to bowl on a vigorous, pace-friendly Perth floor.
Rohit seemed uncomfortable all through his temporary keep, struggling to adapt to the bounce and tempo. His solely boundary got here by way of a crisp straight drive earlier than Hazlewood set him up brilliantly within the fourth over. The proper-arm fast shocked him with a size supply that climbed sharply, drawing a tentative shot and leading to a thick exterior edge to the slip cordon.
WATCH: KOHLI BAGS DUCK IN PERTH
Kohli, in distinction, appeared extra composed however fell to a unfastened shot, chasing a large supply from Starc and getting caught at level.
India’s woes deepened when Shubman Gill, main the aspect in ODIs for the primary time, was dismissed for 10.
By the eighth over, India have been in serious trouble at 25 for 3, with pressure mounting within the dressing room. 18 –The collective contribution of the highest 3 on Sunday was their lowest because the 2019 World Cup semi-final towards New Zealand.
WHY ROHIT AND KOHLI FAILED
Each Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli didn’t spend significant time within the center on their return to worldwide cricket after seven months. Rohit, who has been the flag-bearer of India’s aggressive strategy on the prime in ODIs, seemed intent on imposing himself towards Australia’s new-ball assault – however that high-risk technique backfired.
Rohit tried to tackle Josh Hazlewood early, attempting to clear the ropes on multiple event however failing to attach cleanly. Within the fourth over, Hazlewood shocked him with additional bounce from a size supply that caught the skin edge and flew straight to Matt Renshaw within the slips.
Kohli, in the meantime, confirmed indicators of the identical off-side vulnerability that was uncovered in the course of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this 12 months. He seemed keen to attain however lacked restraint, throwing his arms at deliveries exterior off stump. His downfall got here when he tried to drive a fuller supply from Mitchell Starc, solely to mistime it and provide a easy catch to Cooper Connolly at level.
Former Australia captain Mark Taylor was essential of the Indian duo’s strategy, remarking that they failed to offer themselves sufficient time to regulate to the situations.
It was certainly stunning to see each senior batsmen enjoying expansive pictures so early of their innings, particularly after a protracted layoff. The ODI in Perth marked their first aggressive outing because the conclusion of IPL 2025 in June. Whereas Rohit had been coaching extensively with former assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, and Kohli was fine-tuning his method in London, neither had any match observe main into the collection.
Although their failures in Perth won’t increase fast alarms, each Rohit and Kohli might want to return to type quickly. The 2 stalwarts have set their sights on the 2027 ODI World Cup, however selectors and staff administration are anticipated to guage them as they’d another participant. Having retired from Assessments and T20Is, ODIs stay their solely format on the worldwide stage – and with India scheduled to play fewer than 25 ODIs earlier than the subsequent World Cup, staying match-ready will probably be a problem.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar just lately remarked that it can be “silly” to guage Rohit and Kohli after each recreation however confirmed that their performances can be monitored carefully.
Amongst followers, nonetheless, the temper was much less forgiving – many feared that point is perhaps working out for 2 of India’s trendy greats.
India made simply 27 runs within the first 10 overs because the impression of shedding early wickets stemmed the run movement. Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel, who was promoted to No. 5, have been concerned within the rebuilding of the innings.
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