Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Indian cricket’s two biggest superstars who are nearing the end of their international careers, gave their fans a memory of a lifetime through their terrific batsmanship on Saturday in Sydney, helping India avoid a whitewash against Mitchell Marsh’s team.
Despite their terrific form since the World Cup 2023 and through to the triumphant ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the duo’s place in the ODI XI had apparently been said to be uncertain as the selectors and management begin preparing for the 2027 World Cup, with Shubman Gill being handed the ODI captaincy.
Both failed in the first ODI against Australia, and pressure mounted. But Rohit eased some of it from his shoulders with a scratchy half-century in the second ODI, while Kohli bagged a second consecutive duck for the first time in his ODI career.
The senior pair then put all doubts and questions to bed, at least until the end of the season, through their match-winning knocks in Sydney in the third ODI of the series that the hosts won 2-1.
Given a modest target of 237, Rohit and Gill formed a 69-run opening stand in 10.2 overs. Then, Rohit formed a gigantic 168-run unbeaten partnership with Kohli off 170 balls to take India to the finishing line in 38.3 overs, rolling back the years when they used to gobble up run chases for fun.
The opener remained unbeaten on 121* (125), and his partner-in-crime, India’s No. 3, on 74* (81).
Rohit, Kohli end ODIs in Australia on a high
While there is no timeline set for the conclusion of their respective ODI careers, this was, in all likelihood, the last ODI series for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on Australian soil. Among visiting batsmen who have played at least 20 innings in Australia in ODI cricket, Rohit’s average of 56.66 is the best, and Kohli’s 50.03 is second-best.
The gap between the ICC Champions Trophy, which was played in February-March, and the India vs Australia ODI series was a long one. Fans will not have to wait this long to see Rohit and Kohli back on the field in India colors, as India’s next ODI series is just a month away.
When Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Next Play ODI Cricket? When is India’s next ODI series?
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be back in action at the end of November, as India’s next ODI series is at home against South Africa, a three-match ODI series beginning November 30 in Ranchi.
The second and third matches of the India vs South Africa ODI series will be played on December 3 and 6 in Raipur and Visakhapatnam, respectively.
India will then also host New Zealand for a three-ODI rubber, from January 11 to 18, in Vadodara, Rajkot, and Indore.
India ODI Schedule For Next Three Months:
- November 30 – 1st ODI, India vs South Africa, Ranchi
- December 3 – 2nd ODI, India vs South Africa, Raipur
- December 6 – 3rd ODI, India vs South Africa, Visakhapatnam
- January 11 – 1st ODI, India vs New Zealand, Vadodara
- January 14 – 2nd ODI, India vs New Zealand, Rajkot
- January 18 – 3rd ODI, India vs New Zealand, Indore
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