Perth is buzzing with anticipation as cricket giants Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the international stage, igniting excitement ahead of the ODI series between India and Australia. The series kicks off on October 19th at Optus Stadium, marking the comeback of the star duo after a seven-month absence, their last appearance being in the Champions Trophy 2025 final.
The Men's ODI Series between Australia and India was officially launched at Perth Stadium. Players from both teams gathered for a photo session, celebrating their historic cricket rivalry. Mitchell Starc and Travis Head from Australia joined Indian players Nitish Kumar Reddy and Dhruv Jurel for a photo session.
The return of "Ro-Ko," as fans affectionately call them, has sparked a frenzy, with over 175,000 tickets sold for the white-ball series. This indicates the immense fan interest in witnessing the two cricket legends in action. The series may be the last time Kohli and Rohit play international matches on Australian soil.
However, the weather in Perth could play spoilsport in the highly anticipated return. There is a 63% chance of rain predicted on Sunday in Perth.
Both Kohli and Sharma have been putting in the hard yards during net sessions at Optus Stadium. After appearing rusty initially, they quickly found their groove. Kohli batted for 30 minutes, while Rohit faced bowlers for approximately 40 minutes. All-rounder Axar Patel has given them a thumbs up, saying they looked sharp in training.
Shubman Gill is set to lead the Indian side in the ODI series, taking over the reins from Rohit Sharma. Axar Patel believes the return of Kohli and Rohit will boost Gill's development as a leader. He expressed confidence in Gill, backing him to replicate his successful red-ball captaincy debut.
Travis Head acknowledged the significant impact of Kohli and Rohit, calling them "two quality players" and "two of the great white-ball players". He noted that Kohli is possibly the greatest white-ball player, with Rohit not far behind. Mitchell Marsh echoed the sentiment, humorously hoping that the legendary duo wouldn't go overboard with their performances.
The excitement extends beyond the players, with fans eagerly awaiting the contest between the two strong teams. Travis Head anticipates "really good cricket," while Axar Patel highlighted the fantastic atmosphere and the competitive spirit that emerges when Australia and India clash.
As Perth wakes up to the Ro-Ko era, the city is set to witness a thrilling ODI series, blending the energy of returning legends with the promise of a new leadership era under Shubman Gill. Despite the weather uncertainties, the stage is set for a memorable showdown between India and Australia.
