India Touches Down in Perth for Dynamic ODI Series Against Australia

Prominent members of India’s One-Day International (ODI) cricket team, including star batsmen Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and the newly appointed captain Shubman Gill, arrived in Perth early Thursday morning for an upcoming three-match series against Australia, commencing on October 19.

Joining Kohli, Rohit, and Gill were several other key players such as KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, in addition to some members of the support staff, all arriving after a delayed flight.

Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, along with the rest of the coaching staff, is scheduled to join the team later in the day, having taken an evening flight from Delhi the previous day.

The series is set to kick off in Perth on Sunday, followed by matches in Adelaide on October 23 and Sydney on October 25. After the ODI series concludes, a five-match T20 International series is slated to begin on October 29.

Interest in the ODI series is heightened as it marks the first international appearance for Rohit and Kohli since India triumphed at the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Their future in international cricket has been widely debated, especially following Shubman Gill’s promotion to ODI captaincy.

While both Kohli and Rohit have retired from Test and T20 Internationals, it is believed they wish to continue playing until at least the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Gill, who also captains the Test team, has expressed support for their continued involvement, stating in media interactions that the duo’s experience and match-winning capabilities are unparalleled.

“The experience and victories they’ve brought to India are unmatched, making them exceptional players,” Gill expressed. “Very few players worldwide match their skill, quality, and experience, so their presence is crucial,” he said regarding their potential roles in the 2027 tournament, following a recent Test series victory over the West Indies at home.

Published on October 16, 2025.