The much-anticipated return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli did not go as planned in the first ODI against Australia in Perth. Australia won the toss and elected to field, continuing India’s 16th consecutive ODI toss loss, with the last win coming in the CWC 2023 semifinals against New Zealand at Wankhede. Once play began, the Australian bowlers made the most of the bouncy Perth deck. Josh Hazlewood trapped Rohit with a hard-length delivery, while Mitchell Starc bowled a wide that Virat chased, resulting in a duck for the first time in 30 ODI innings in Australia.
Shubman Gill managed a couple of boundaries but was eventually dismissed leg before. Together, the trio scored just 18 runs, the lowest combined total in an ODI where all three batted, breaking the previous mark of 25 against Pakistan in 2023.Amid the difficult start, the rain brought a pause to the proceedings, offering a rare lighter moment. During the second rain delay, all eyes were on the dressing room where Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were spotted enjoying some popcorn together. The pair were first seen in a serious discussion, likely analysing the pitch conditions and batting strategy. The mood soon shifted as they shared jokes and laughed, munching on popcorn while watching the rain outside.Click here towatch the video.The moment was a heartwarming reminder that despite changes in leadership and the pressures of international cricket, camaraderie remains strong between the experienced Rohit and the young captain Gill.
