WATCH: Virat-Rohit unleash big shots in practice before AUS vs IND, 1st ODI

Fans of the Indian cricket team eagerly watched as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli showcased their skills during the first practice session in Perth ahead of the ODI series against Australia.

Both Kohli and Rohit have scored over 2000 ODI runs against Australia. Image | BCCI on X

The fans of the Indian Cricket team got their first glimpse of India’s cricketing icons back in rhythm as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli took charge at Team India’s first practice session ahead of Sunday’s opening ODI against Australia. In a recent video, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a collage of their batting practice.

Ro-Ko got going in Perth

At the Optus Stadium in Perth, both senior batters looked determined and relaxed in equal measure, sending a strong signal of intent before returning to international cricket for the first time since India’s Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year.

The video posted by the BCCI on X captured their trademark flair of Rohit effortlessly flicking through mid-wicket and carving cuts square of the wicket, while Kohli, ever the perfectionist, drove powerfully down the ground and unleashed those classic wristy flicks through the on-side.

Kohli, who turns 37 later this year, appeared in excellent touch despite nearly seven months away from the ODI format. He was seen smiling and sprinting alongside pacers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana during warm-ups before taking to the nets.

The 36-year-old is fully fit and eager to extend his remarkable ODI record in Australia, where he has scored 1,327 runs in 29 innings at an average of over 51, including five hundreds.

Rohit Sharma, who will open alongside newly appointed captain Shubman Gill, looked no less imposing. Known for his effortless six-hitting, the 38-year-old focused intensely on ground strokes, playing long sessions under the watchful eye of head coach Gautam Gambhir. He was seen fine-tuning his backfoot play to adapt to the bounce expected on the Perth wicket.

Read Also: AUS vs IND, 2025 ODI series: Australia recall star batter to replace injured Green

Rohit and Virat eyeing a great comeback

For both Rohit and Kohli, this ODI comeback carries special significance. Having retired from Tests and T20Is earlier this year, the duo have become one-format specialists, choosing to focus solely on 50-over cricket with the 2027 World Cup in mind.

Their return also adds invaluable experience to a young side transitioning under Gill’s leadership.

How to watch the Australia vs India, 2025 series in India?

Fans in India can watch the Australia vs India 2025 ODI series on JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium.

Final squads for the ODIs

Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc. Game two onwards: Adam Zampa, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis.

India squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.

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