The selection committee is set to announce the squad for the upcoming Australia ODIs on Saturday, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli expected to be the main talking points.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Set for ODI Comeback Ahead of Australia Tour
Senior Indian batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are poised to return to international cricket, with the All India Selection Committee expected to announce the squad for India’s upcoming Australia tour on Saturday. Both veterans are likely to feature in the ODI lineup, marking their first international appearances since the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, BCCI is also considering the future, with Rohit’s captaincy under review ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
According to Cricbuzz, the board will discuss Rohit’s captaincy directly with him during the selection meeting. The return of these stalwarts comes after they had stunned fans by retiring from red-ball cricket during the IPL, just before the England tour, leaving a leadership gap in the Test side. Their comeback promises added experience and firepower to India’s 50-over setup.
Selectors are expected to announce the squads on Saturday, the third day of the ongoing first Test against the West Indies in Ahmedabad. During the Champions Trophy, Kohli had been in superb form, scoring a century against Pakistan and starring in the semi-final against Australia. Rohit, after a lean patch, delivered a match-winning innings against New Zealand in the final, securing India’s second ICC trophy under his captaincy within a year.
Both players have passed fitness assessments—Rohit at the NCA after a seven-month hiatus, and Kohli reportedly in London. A promotional teaser for the ODI series, featuring portraits of the two white-ball legends, hints at their presence in the squad.
Selectors to pick injured Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant’s alternates
Selectors face a crucial task in finding replacements for Hardik Pandya, sidelined with a quadriceps injury, and Rishabh Pant, recovering from a foot fracture, who will miss the upcoming limited-overs matches. Test captain Shubman Gill, fresh from leading India in the Asia Cup and set to play a two-Test series within three days, faces a heavy workload. Given the tight schedule and physical demands, selectors may choose to rest him from the ODI or T20I leg—or possibly both formats—to keep him fit and fresh for the longer-format challenges ahead.
