Kohli and Rohit are back in national colours after featuring in the Champions Trophy in March — a seven-month period that has seen Indian cricket evolve significantly.
During their absence, the team has learned to operate 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 stage of their careers?
Few would dispute that Kohli and Rohit are among the greatest ODI batters across generations. Both have been working hard in preparation for this comeback — Rohit has visibly trimmed down and looks fitter than ever, while Kohli has been grinding it out in London with a personal trainer.
Their biggest challenge, however, will be to shake off the rust since the IPL, their last competitive appearance.
It might help that their return comes against Australia — an opponent that has often brought out their best over the years. This three-match ODI series could serve as a barometer for their hunger and ability to extend their careers as one-format specialists.
Rohit’s new reality
Unlike Kohli, Rohit must adjust to life as just another senior player, no longer the captain. His recent white-ball and Test stints ended in triumph, having led India to ICC titles and success across formats.
If both veterans can recapture their touch — Kohli with his masterful precision and Rohit with his effortless stroke play — they could still remain central to India’s plans.
But the duo also knows that the days of automatic selection are over. The current selectors have shown a readiness to make bold decisions with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind.
As chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar hinted during the NDTV World Summit:
“They (Rohit and Kohli) are part of the squad for Australia. They’re not on trial. Once they start playing, you assess. But we have some ideas, and we’ll probably have a better idea of where the team is progressing.”
Gill’s burden of expectation
While the veterans eye a second wind, the future belongs to Gill. Yet, he will carry the weight of their legacies.
At 26, Gill has already shown he can match Kohli’s batting class, particularly during the tour of England. Now, he must prove 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 stern first test for the new skipper. Success here could cement his leadership credentials and further enhance his confidence as a batter.
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 slot in at No. 3, followed by Shreyas Iyer and wicketkeeper KL Rahul.
With Hardik Pandya unavailable due to injury, Nitish Kumar Reddy is set for his maiden ODI cap as the all-rounder. Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna will contest for a spot alongside Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh in the pace attack, while Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are expected to handle 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 consistent thorn in India’s side.
Squads
India: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (wk), 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.
