The match delivered a stark contrast in fortunes for two of India’s cricketing giants. Rohit Sharma, in a desperate lunge for survival, barely escaped a run-out early in his innings, a moment that could have prematurely ended his ODI contribution and sparked serious questions about his future in the format.
However, Sharma didn’t just survive; he battled through an incredibly aggressive bowling spell from Australia’s pace trio – Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Xavier Bartlett – to craft a gritty 73 runs off 97 balls. This innings, while not his most flamboyant, offered a temporary reprieve from recent criticism.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli’s struggles continued. Bartlett masterfully set him up with several outswingers before delivering a deceptive off-cutter. Kohli was trapped leg-before-wicket, recording his second consecutive duck, a disappointing outcome for a player of his calibre.
As Kohli walked back to the pavilion, the 36-year-old raised his hand in a ‘bye’ gesture to his devoted fans. This seemingly simple act has fueled much speculation on social media. While some interpret it as a profound farewell, it might simply be a poignant acknowledgement to the Adelaide Oval crowd, a venue where he celebrated his first Test century in 2012 and his first as captain in 2014 – a ground that has witnessed some of his finest moments.
Following Kohli’s exit, the game largely revolved around Rohit Sharma’s perseverance. Hazlewood relentlessly targeted him outside the off-stump, but Sharma, much like KL Rahul’s Test match approach, demonstrated immense discipline, consistently playing a tight line to protect his outside edge from the swinging ball.
Despite Rohit’s resilience, India’s scoring rate remained sluggish. Their first 50 runs took a concerning 15 overs – a pace that can prove fatal in modern One-Day Internationals. For fans accustomed to Rohit’s aggressive, fearless batting, particularly during the 2023 ODI World Cup, this cautious approach felt uncharacteristic.
Remembering his audacious start against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final, where he made a challenging target of 252 seem achievable, raises a pertinent question: Is Rohit, now free from captaincy, feeling the added pressure to secure his spot in the white-ball squad? With explosive talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting in the wings, any overly cavalier failures could amplify calls for a lineup change.
Nevertheless, Rohit did inject some much-needed momentum later in his innings, notably with two powerful short-arm pulls off medium-pacer Mitchell Owen. These strokes were a clear signal that his attacking flair has not entirely vanished. He was poised for a century, but Mitchell Starc, returning for his second spell, dismissed him with a well-directed short ball that exploited the bounce and pace, catching Sharma attempting the same pull shot.
Captain Shubman Gill, who had been observed in a lengthy discussion with Rohit during a rain delay just days prior in Perth, commended the veteran’s fighting effort in Adelaide. “He is back after a while, and I’m pleased at the way he fought out the initial phase,” Gill remarked.
Rohit’s involvement extended beyond his batting; he actively engaged with the bowlers in the field, offering advice when they appeared to lose their rhythm.
The path ahead for the Mumbai batsman will be under intense scrutiny, reminiscent of his early days in international cricket. Yet, it seems Rohit has embraced this challenge, prepared to stand or fall by his decisions.