Mumbai: India, the world’s top-ranked ODI team, will begin its three-match One Day International (ODI) series against third-ranked Australia in Perth on Sunday. The series marks Shubman Gill’s first significant challenge as India’s new ODI captain, taking over from Rohit Sharma, who has retired from Test cricket.
While Gill’s captaincy headlines the series, attention also remains on veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have stepped away from Test and T20 formats but continue to feature in ODIs with the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup in sight. Known colloquially as “Ro-Ko,” their performance in this series is being closely watched, as every match now serves as a benchmark for their continued selection.
Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership earlier this year, India defeated Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai and had an unbeaten run in all eight matches, including a 3-0 series win over England at home. India’s last ODI loss came against Sri Lanka in Colombo in August 2024. Australia, on the other hand, has struggled in recent ODIs, winning only two of their last ten matches, while key players Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis have retired from ODI cricket, leaving Australia to rebuild their team.
Shubman Gill has already made his mark as Test captain, scoring four centuries in the five-Test series against England, including a double hundred, and leading India to a 2-0 series victory over the West Indies. In ODIs, Gill has played 55 matches, scoring 2,775 runs with eight centuries and 15 fifties, including a double century. His leadership and performance will be crucial in setting the tone against Australia.
Veteran stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bring immense experience. Kohli has scored 1,327 runs at an average of 51.04 in 29 ODIs in Australia, including five centuries, while Sharma has amassed 1,328 runs in 30 matches against the hosts, averaging 51.12 with five centuries. Together, the duo has shared 5,315 runs in 99 ODIs, underscoring their enduring value to the Indian lineup.
India’s pace attack, led by Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana, along with all-rounder Nitish Reddy, will aim to fill the gap left by the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Gill, supported by vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, emphasized the importance of learning from senior teammates. “Even after taking over the captaincy, my relationship with Rohit Bhai and Virat Bhai remains unchanged. Their experience is invaluable, and I will always seek their advice in difficult situations,” Gill said.
The series opens at Optus Stadium, Perth, at 9:00 AM IST, and cricket fans across India will be watching closely as Gill, Rohit, and Virat aim to maintain India’s dominance while ushering in a new era of ODI cricket.
This series is not just about victories but also a preview of India’s strategy and leadership heading into the next ICC ODI World Cup. Gill’s ability to balance his captaincy with the performances of cricketing legends Rohit and Kohli will define the team’s approach in the months to come.
