The upcoming ODI series in Australia will hold special significance for Rohit Sharma.
Rohit Sharma Prepares for Australia ODIs Amid Asia Cup Buzz
While world cricket focused on the handshake controversy and India’s thrilling Asia Cup win over Pakistan in Dubai, Rohit Sharma was already preparing for the next challenge. According to a RevSportz report, even as the Suryakumar Yadav-led team competed in the Asia Cup, the 38-year-old was quietly training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for the ODI leg of the upcoming Australia tour.
Starting September 16, Rohit spent nearly a week at the CoE, initially for the mandatory pre-season fitness test. His training sessions were “specifically tailored to the conditions and opposition he will face in Australia later this month.”
The report detailed that his sessions included two hours of batting against tall fast bowlers, a request made by Rohit himself. Overall, 10 bowlers and several throwdown specialists assisted in his preparation. On some days, he even completed two separate sessions, often extending his practice beyond the allotted time. In addition, he worked out in the gym with light-weight training to maintain fitness ahead of the tour.
Rohit Sharma’s High-Stakes Return in ODIs
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar did not specify when he informed Rohit about the leadership transition, but reports suggest it happened “some time ago,” possibly shortly after the England Test series in early August, with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind. Rohit would have been aware of this during his training at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) last month.
More than the captaincy change, the Australia series has become a ‘perform or perish’ challenge for the 38-year-old. According to PTI, Rohit is reportedly not in India’s long-term World Cup plans, with both Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir expressing doubts over his ability to maintain form until 2027. Some within the BCCI also question his impact after a seven-month international hiatus.
