Rohit Sharma fought back with a 73-run innings, while Virat Kohli recorded consecutive ducks in India’s ODI defeat to Australia in Adelaide.
The stalwarts of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, have returned to action for the 3-match ODI series against Australia, but retirement speculations continue to swirl. Kohli has yet to score in the series, and his gestures on Thursday in Adelaide, after registering a second consecutive duck, have raised questions about his future. Rohit, meanwhile, scored a patient half-century, though it could not prevent India from losing the series.
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Amid ongoing doubts, a video has gone viral on social media showing Gautam Gambhir speaking to Rohit Sharma after India’s 2-wicket loss in Adelaide. The head coach was heard saying, “Rohit, sabko lag rha tha ki aaj farewell match thha, ek photo to lagaa do [Everybody thought it was your farewell match, put out a photo].” The video is being widely shared online; however, its authenticity could not be verified.
Rohit struggled in Perth, scoring just 8 off 14 before falling to Josh Hazlewood. In Adelaide, he bounced back with a composed 73-run knock, forming a 111-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer for the 3rd wicket. His innings helped India reach 264 for 9. Despite the effort, Australia chased the target and secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Rohit’s knock demonstrated his determination and calm under pressure.
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Rohit Sharma’s ODI Uncertainty
While Rohit earned some breathing space with his 73 off 97 balls, Kohli’s back-to-back ducks ,the first of their kind in his international career, have made fans contemplate whether this signals the start of the end.
Rohit first toured Australia during the CB Series in 2007-08, while Kohli made his senior team debut in the 2011-12 season, immediately making an impact with a Test century in Adelaide.
With no ODI series scheduled in Australia over the next two years, it is unlikely that the duo will be seen in India blues Down Under again.
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