• Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli fell cheaply on their ODI returns against Australia in Perth.

  • While Rohit was dismissed for 8, Kohli went for a duck in the first ODI.

AUS vs IND: Fans troll Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after the duo’s poor outing in the 1st ODI at Perth
Fans troll Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (Image Source: X)

Indian cricket icons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made their much-awaited return to the national side in the first ODI against Australia at Perth. The duo last featured together during the ICC Champions Trophy in February, where India clinched the title. Having taken a break from the game following their T20I and Test retirements, both players were under the scanner as they stepped back into the 50-over format. While they appeared fitter and sharper physically, their performances with the bat left much to be desired.

Poor start for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on their ODI return

Rohit began his innings with trademark elegance, stroking a delightful cover drive early on. However, the fluency soon faded as Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood extracted bounce and movement from the lively Perth surface. Rohit, trying to push through the line, got an outside edge that carried neatly to the slip cordon. His short stay at the crease highlighted a lack of rhythm — something understandable after an extended layoff from competitive cricket.

On the other hand, Kohli’s dismissal rekindled an old concern. Chasing a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc, the former captain nicked the ball straight to the point fielder. It was a familiar pattern — Kohli’s eagerness to drive outside the off-stump once again brought his downfall. While his intent was evident, the execution faltered, as the wicket offered seam movement throughout the innings. Kohli has built a career on timing and precision, but the early dismissal underscored the challenges of returning to form after months away from international action.

Questions loom over 2027 World Cup ambitions

Both Rohit and Kohli are eyeing a spot in India’s 2027 ODI World Cup campaign, but their recent struggles could complicate matters. The selectors and management are likely to assess their consistency and impact through this series. With a new generation of Indian batters emerging, the competition for middle and top-order positions has intensified. A couple of low scores might not define their careers, but continued failures could force the selectors to look elsewhere.

Still, fans and pundits alike believe that the experienced pair needs just one solid innings to rediscover their form. With two games remaining in the series, the spotlight will remain firmly on their ability to adapt and deliver against a formidable Australian bowling attack.

Also READ: Rohit Sharma vs Mitchell Starc in ODIs: The ultimate duel that will define AUS vs IND 50-over series

Fans express disappointment on Rohit and Kohli’s dismissals

Social media was abuzz after the duo’s failure, with fans trolling both Rohit and Kohli for their underwhelming returns. Memes and sarcastic posts flooded X (formerly Twitter), with many users expressing frustration over their dismissals. Some fans urged patience, citing their long layoff, while others questioned their place in the side ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle.

Here’s how fans reacted:

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Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at betvisa68.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@betvisa68.com and follow him on , & .