Rohit and Kohli Make Triumphant Return to ODI Squad Against Australia

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to make their highly anticipated return to international cricket during India’s forthcoming tour of Australia later this month. After stepping back from T20Is and Tests earlier this year, the duo will participate in the ODI segment of the series, marking their first appearance in national colors since their Champions Trophy victory in March.

The tour kicks off with three ODIs scheduled for October 19, 23, and 25, followed by five T20Is from October 29 to November 8.

Following India’s Champions Trophy win, Rohit Sharma announced that he had no plans to retire from the 50-over format. He had successfully led India to its third Champions Trophy title and captained the team to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup before retiring from the shortest format. During the Champions Trophy final, Rohit set the pace with a brisk 49 in the PowerPlay, forming a 105-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill, and concluded his innings with a well-crafted 76 off 83 balls.

Virat Kohli also played a crucial role in the tournament, becoming only the third player, after Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara, to surpass the 14,000-run milestone in ODIs. He finished as India’s second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 218 runs, reinforcing his status as a key figure in India’s batting lineup.

This series will be closely observed for insights into India’s long-term strategies in ODI cricket.

Published on October 4, 2025.