A three-match ODI series rarely carries such significance, yet the return of Kohli, Rohit, and Shubman’s rise has generated huge excitement.
India vs Australia ODIs: Kohli, Rohit, and the Dawn of a New Era
The rise of T20I cricket has often overshadowed the 50-over format, with ODIs mostly capturing attention during ICC events. However, the upcoming India vs Australia three-match series has once again shifted focus back to one-day cricket. The return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, alongside the emergence of Shubman Gill, has generated significant excitement, highlighting a pivotal transition phase in Indian cricket.
The BCCI made a surprising decision by removing Rohit from ODI captaincy, despite his leadership in India’s Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year. The selection committee has signaled the start of a transition, handing the reins to Shubman Gill, while Kohli and Rohit’s participation remains under scrutiny.
During the Champions Trophy, Kohli impressed with a century against Pakistan and finished as the top scorer in the semi-final against Australia. Rohit bounced back from a lean patch to deliver a match-winning innings in the final against New Zealand, securing India’s second ICC title under his captaincy in a year.
Yet, just eight months later, their futures are uncertain. The three-match ODI series against Australia carries immense significance for both veterans. Under Gautam Gambhir, India has been nurturing young talent in T20Is and Tests, and a similar approach in ODIs seems imminent. Their last tour of Australia ended with disappointing performances—Kohli managed only 190 runs in five Tests, while Rohit scored just 31, even dropping himself for the Sydney Test—sparking speculation about retirements from the format.
This time, the stakes are even higher. Both Kohli and Rohit have expressed ambitions for the 2027 World Cup, yet the team management and selection committee remain cautious. On Australian soil, Rohit has 1,328 runs in 30 ODIs, while Kohli has 1,327 in 29 matches, underscoring their comparable success. But external pressure and uncertainty add an extra layer of challenge for these seasoned players.
Shubman Gill’s captaincy will also be under the microscope. Having led the Test side to a drawn series in England and a dominant home performance against West Indies, he now faces the unique challenges of guiding the ODI team. However, in this series, the spotlight will remain on Kohli and Rohit, with fans and experts keenly observing how the two stalwarts perform under pressure and whether they can reaffirm their place in India’s ODI future.
Curious case of Harshit Rana
The curious case of Harshit Rana, playing across all three formats for India, will continue to draw attention in the upcoming ODI series against Australia. The right-arm pacer has faced criticism from former cricketers and fans on social media, prompting head coach Gautam Gambhir to defend him. Gambhir urged critics not to target the young bowler for the sake of headlines.
Gambhir has often faced scrutiny over perceived favoritism, with veterans like Mohammed Shami sidelined and Mohammed Siraj overlooked in T20Is despite strong red-ball performances. Meanwhile, Rana continues to feature across formats, and with the Australia ODIs approaching, the 22-year-old pacer seems set to capture renewed attention as fans and experts closely monitor his performances.
