Kohli & Rohit make comeback as Gill leads India vs Australia

India’s much-anticipated return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma takes center stage on Sunday as Shubman Gill makes his debut as full-time ODI captain in the first match of the three-game series against Australia in Perth. While the spotlight shines on the veteran duo, Gill’s leadership adds another compelling storyline to what promises to be a high-octane clash.

Veterans return, new challenges await

After a seven-month hiatus from national duty, Kohli and Rohit rejoined the team following their last competitive outing at the Champions Trophy in March. During their absence, Indian cricket adapted to life without its iconic batters. Now, both face the challenge of shaking off rust and proving they still have the firepower that made them legends.

Rohit has trimmed down and transformed his physique, while Kohli has been training intensively in London under a private coach. Beyond fitness, both must mentally adjust to returning against a strong Australia side. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will be eager to test them once again, making this series a key measure of the duo’s form and future in ODIs.

For Rohit, the dynamics have changed; he is now a senior player rather than captain. His focus will be on delivering explosive starts and guiding the team with experience. Kohli, meanwhile, is expected to anchor the innings with his trademark precision.

Gill’s leadership and team composition

Shubman Gill, 26, now shoulders the responsibility of full-time ODI captaincy. He has already shown maturity and skill, notably during India’s recent England tour. Gill will be judged against Rohit’s record of a 75 percent win ratio in ODIs, and the Australian series, led by Mitchell Marsh in Cummins’ absence, is a crucial first test for him as a leader.

Team selection is likely to continue with successful combinations. Rohit and Gill will open, with Yashasvi Jaiswal on standby. Kohli will bat at No. 3, followed by Shreyas Iyer and wicketkeeper KL Rahul. Nitish Kumar Reddy may make his ODI debut as an all-rounder in place of the injured Hardik Pandya, while Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna compete for a seamer spot alongside Mohammad Siraj and Arshdeep Singh. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will handle spin duties.

Australia, under Marsh, will rely on players like Cooper Connolly, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Renshaw, and Travis Head to provide strong support.

Perth’s pitch is hard and bouncy, favoring fast bowlers early, but becomes good for stroke-making once batters settle, with high scores usually expected in ODIs.

*Teams:

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

The match begins at 9:00 AM IST