Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Flop in IND vs AUS ODI Opener
India’s cricket fans woke up to a tough Sunday. The much-awaited ODI comebacks of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma turned sour. In the series opener against Australia at Perth’s Optus Stadium, both stars fell early. Rohit scored just 8 runs. Kohli got out for a duck. Australia chose to bowl first on a bouncy pitch. Their pacers struck hard from the start.
Moreover, this game marked a key moment. It was Kohli’s first ODI duck in Australia. He had played 26 innings there before without one. Now, his total ODI ducks stand at 17. Fans felt the pain. However, the team fought back later. But the early blows hurt India’s momentum.
IND vs AUS 1st ODI Highlights Perth
Let’s dive into what happened. Australia won the toss and elected to field. The pitch looked lively. It favored fast bowlers. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc opened the attack. Rohit Sharma faced the first ball. He looked rusty after a seven-month break from ODIs. His last game was in the Champions Trophy final.
Rohit tried to play aggressively. He hit one boundary. A crisp straight drive off Hazlewood. But soon, trouble came. In the fourth over, Hazlewood bowled a length ball. It bounced extra. Rohit poked at it. The ball took a thick edge. It flew to slips. Matt Renshaw caught it easily. Rohit walked back for 8 off 14 balls.
Then, Virat Kohli came in. He seemed composed at first. But Starc tested him outside off. Kohli chased a wide one. He drove loosely. The ball went to point. Cooper Connolly dived and caught it. Kohli was out for 0 off 8 balls. He looked dejected. This was his slowest ODI duck since 2023 against England.
Additionally, Shubman Gill followed soon. He scored 10 runs. Australia dismissed him too. By the eighth over, India was 25 for 3. The top order collapsed. Fans on social media expressed shock. One X post said, “First duck for Virat Kohli in ODIs at Perth in Australia.” Another noted, “This is Virat Kohli’s first ever duck in Australia in 27 ODI innings.”
Why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Failed in Perth ODI
Why did Rohit and Kohli fail? First, let’s look at their comebacks. Both skipped ODIs after IPL 2025. Rohit trained with coach Abhishek Nayar. Kohli worked on his technique in London. But no match practice hurt them. The Perth pitch was tough. It had pace and bounce. Australia’s bowlers exploited it well.
Rohit loves attacking. He leads India’s aggressive ODI style. But against fresh pacers, it backfired. He tried big shots early. Hazlewood set him up smartly. For Kohli, old issues returned. His off-side weakness showed. Like in the Border-Gavaskar Tests earlier. He lacked patience. Chased wide balls.
Former Aussie captain Mark Taylor commented on this. He said they didn’t adjust to conditions. “They played expansive shots too soon,” he noted. Indeed, after long layoffs, batters need time. But pressure mounted quickly.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Stats in Australia ODIs
Let’s check their stats in Australia. Rohit has shone there in ODIs. He scored 961 runs in 18 innings. Average over 53. Four centuries, including a high of 171. But this time, he couldn’t build. Kohli has 802 runs in Australia ODIs. Average around 42. Five half-centuries. But no duck until now.
This failure adds to Kohli’s duck tally. He now has 17 in ODIs. Most for an Indian top-order batter recently. Rohit has 16 ducks. They join legends like Sachin Tendulkar (20 ducks) and Sanath Jayasuriya (34). But for stars like them, ducks are rare setbacks.
India’s Recovery in IND vs AUS Perth Match
The team’s response mattered. Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer stepped up. He partnered with Axar Patel at No. 5. They rebuilt slowly. India scored only 27 in the first 10 overs. But stability came. Later, contributions from lower order helped. India posted a total around 250. Australia chased it down, but not without fights.
Fan Reactions to Virat Kohli Duck and Rohit Sharma Flop
Fan reactions poured in. On X, users shared memes and thoughts. One post read, “Virat Kohli out for duck & Rohit Sharma scores 8 in series opener vs Australia at Perth.” Another said, “Disappointment for India fans as Virat Kohli falls for an 8-ball duck.” Some worried about their form. “Time running out for two of India’s modern greats,” a fan tweeted.
However, experts stay calm. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said, “It’s stupid to judge them after one game.” He added performances will be monitored. With the 2027 ODI World Cup in sight, they have time. But India plays fewer ODIs now. Only about 20 before the Cup. Staying sharp is key.
Fans Reax @ X
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Shubman Gill Captaincy Debut in ODI Series
Shubman Gill led as captain. His first time in ODIs. He handled the team well despite early losses. Gill said post-match, “We need to adapt faster.” The series moves to Adelaide next. On October 23. Then Sydney on October 26.
Future Outlook for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in ODIs
What lies ahead? Rohit and Kohli must bounce back. Their experience is vital. Rohit, at 38, eyes the World Cup. Kohli, 36, does too. They’ve retired from Tests and T20Is. ODIs are their focus. Fans hope for strong shows.
Additionally, Australia’s bowlers impressed. Starc took key wickets. Hazlewood was accurate. Their batting chased steadily. Steve Smith anchored. Youngsters like Connolly shone.
This match highlights cricket’s unpredictability. Stars can fail. But teams recover. India has depth. Players like Iyer, Patel, and bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah can turn games.
For fans, watch the next ODIs. Live on Star Sports or Hotstar. Get updates on Cricbuzz or ESPNcricinfo. The rivalry continues. India vs Australia always delivers thrill.
In summary, the Perth ODI disappointed Indian supporters. But it’s just one game. Rohit and Kohli will aim to roar back. Their legacy remains strong. With over 20,000 ODI runs combined, they define excellence. Stay tuned for more action in this exciting series.
External links:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-australia-2025-26-1478882,
https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-series/9596/india-tour-of-australia-2025/matches,
