New Delhi: After months away from international cricket, India’s batting titans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returned to the field in Perth but their much awaited comebacks turned into brief, forgettable outings.
Rohit, back in blue after seven months, began confidently against Josh Hazlewood, eager to make an early statement. But the Australian pacer quickly exposed his rustiness. After teasing Rohit with extra bounce and movement, Hazlewood found the outside edge Rohit gone for just 8 off 14 balls. A short lived return for India’s captain, who had promised intent but found precision bowling too hot to handle.
Kohli, meanwhile, walked in to a familiar chorus of cheers and expectations. The crowd, the stage, the opponent everything screamed vintage Kohli. Yet, his timing deserted him. A flashy drive outside off went wrong, the thick edge flying straight to backward point. Out for a seven ball duck his first-ever ODI zero on Australian soil.
Both veterans boast enviable records in Australia Rohit averaging over 53 and Kohli piling up more than 1,300 runs with five centuries. But on this day, experience gave way to rust, rhythm to restlessness.
For the duo, it wasn’t the fairytale return fans hoped for. Still, as India eyes the road to the 2027 World Cup, one poor outing won’t define them. The greats have stumbled before and often risen stronger.
