As the Indian team prepares for their second One-Day International against Australia in Adelaide, veteran opener Rohit Sharma finds himself at a pivotal moment. While his long-time batting partner Virat Kohli aims to continue his impressive form at the familiar Adelaide Oval, Sharma faces the distinct challenge of breaking a frustrating run-drought at this particular ground.
His recent outing in Perth was a letdown, managing only eight runs from 14 balls with just a single boundary. This disappointing performance in the first ODI means all eyes are on his recovery. Many fans, and likely Sharma himself, had hoped for an explosive start during the powerplay, with the ‘Hitman’ confidently sending balls to the boundary. Instead, he appeared somewhat out of rhythm, perhaps still adjusting after a significant break from international cricket.
With promising young openers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, and Prabhsimran Singh showcasing strong performances in List-A cricket, the competition for a spot in the squad is fierce. This makes the upcoming two ODIs in Australia, along with three home matches against South Africa later this year, incredibly important for Rohit Sharma to solidify his position and keep his aspirations for the 2027 Cricket World Cup alive.
Historically, Sharma has proven his mettle under pressure, and he’ll be eager to tap into that fighting spirit. Adding intrigue to the narrative, a video has recently gone viral across social media platforms, showing Rohit Sharma engaging in shadow practice with a bat belonging to young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Despite his impressive overall record against Australia, the Adelaide Oval has notoriously been a challenging venue for Sharma. In 12 ODIs played across 15 innings here, he has managed only 287 runs at an average of 19.13, with his highest score being just 43. Looking solely at his six ODIs at this specific ground, his tally stands at 131 runs at an average of 21.83.
His last appearance at Adelaide Oval during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2025 also saw him struggle, with scores of three and six in the pink-ball Test, dismissed by Scott Boland and Pat Cummins, respectively. This time, however, Rohit steps onto the field seemingly fitter and in a format where he has traditionally thrived, hoping to craft a new, more positive chapter in his Adelaide story.