In anticipation of the first One-Day International against India, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh light-heartedly stated his wish that India’s phenomenal batting duo, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, wouldn’t go ‘overboard’ with their performances in the upcoming three-match series, which commences on October 19.
This series marks the highly anticipated return of Rohit and Virat, two of India’s most prominent stars, who will be donning the national jersey for the first time since their appearance in the ICC Champions Trophy Final earlier this year.
Reflecting on his numerous encounters with Kohli and Rohit throughout his career, Marsh highlighted that this series offers a unique chance for Australian fans to witness the exceptional talent of these two cricketing titans.
“I’ve had the immense privilege of competing against them quite frequently over the years. They are, without a doubt, legends of the game. Virat, especially in white-ball cricket, is arguably the greatest chaser the sport has ever seen. It’s clear why ticket sales are soaring and so many fans are eager to watch them play. If this indeed marks their final appearance on Australian soil, I hope they thoroughly enjoy it, and I wish fans get to witness their greatness – though perhaps not *too* much of it against us!” Marsh playfully remarked to the media.
Both Rohit and Virat have been in astounding form since India’s last bilateral tour of Australia, prior to the 2023 ODI World Cup.
During this period, Rohit has featured in 23 ODIs, accumulating an impressive 1,137 runs at an average of 49.43 and a blistering strike rate of 123.45. His tally includes two centuries and seven half-centuries, with a top score of 131. His exceptional run continued during the 2023 World Cup at home, where he amassed 597 runs in 11 innings at an average of 54.27, boasting a century and three fifties, while striking at over 125. In India’s triumphant ICC Champions Trophy campaign, he scored 180 runs across five innings, including a crucial match-winning 76 in the final against New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Virat has been equally prolific, scoring 1,154 runs in 22 matches since then, averaging an outstanding 64.11. He has notched up four centuries and nine fifties, achieving a highest score of 117 with a strike rate of 88.56, consistently reinforcing his status as one of the world’s finest white-ball batsmen.