Perth, Australia - The highly anticipated return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to international cricket in the first ODI against Australia at Perth turned sour, triggering a wave of disappointment and criticism from fans. Both batsmen, vital cogs in the Indian batting lineup, fell cheaply, leaving fans questioning their form and future in the ODI format.
Rohit Sharma, making his 500th international appearance, was dismissed for a mere 8 runs off 14 balls. The former captain, opening the innings with Shubman Gill, looked uncomfortable against the Australian pace attack. Josh Hazlewood, with his precise line and length, tested Rohit outside off, eventually inducing an edge that was safely caught by Matt Renshaw at second slip. Several deliveries prior to the dismissal, Rohit struggled to connect, further fueling concerns about his current form.
Virat Kohli's return was even more anticlimactic, as he departed for a first-ball duck. Facing Mitchell Starc, Kohli chased a full delivery outside off, only to edge it to Cooper Connolly at backward point. This marked Kohli's first-ever ODI duck in Australia, a surprising statistic given his otherwise stellar record on Australian soil.
The cheap dismissals of two of India's most experienced batsmen sparked immediate reactions on social media. Fans expressed their disappointment, with some questioning their place in the team. "All hype go down," one fan tweeted, reflecting the general sentiment of disillusionment. Others were more critical, with some even suggesting that the two veterans should consider retirement. "It was painful to watch that 8-ball stay," another fan wrote, referring to Kohli's brief innings.
The top-order collapse, with Shubman Gill also falling cheaply, left India reeling at 24/2 after seven overs. While it is too early to draw definitive conclusions, the performance has undoubtedly raised concerns about the form of Kohli and Rohit as they prepare for future international competitions. Some observers noted that both players were returning to the format after a considerable break, which may have contributed to their rusty performance. Kohli last played an ODI in March 2025 during the Champions Trophy final.
The Australian bowlers, particularly Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, exploited the bouncy Perth pitch to their advantage. Their accuracy and movement troubled the Indian batsmen, leading to the early breakthroughs. This performance has set the stage for an intriguing series, with India needing to address their top-order woes to compete effectively against a strong Australian side.
