With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli making their comeback to international cricket after seven months, all eyes were on the talismanic pair going into the three-match ODI series between India and Australia. They scored 8 and 0, respectively, in the opening ODI in Perth, but it was a forgettable performance.
On Thursday, October 23, the second ODI took place at the storied Adelaide Oval. Rohit Sharma struck a tough 73 from 97 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes, while Kohli was again removed for a duck. Rohit Sharma also shown excellent application at the crease on a challenging track against in-form Australian pacers. Mitchell Marsh asked him to bat first, and he helped the Men in Blue record a competitive 264/9 in 50 overs by top-scoring for the tourists and forming an incredible 118-run partnership off 136 deliveries with Shreyas Iyer.
Following Rohit Sharma valiant knock, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif praised him for persevering in challenging batting circumstances. It was an extremely significant innings for both Rohit Sharma and India, according to the cricket player-turned-expert.
“Too much discussion on social media over his future, the difficult surface, the world-class pacers in action, and the cheap dismissals of Gill and Kohli… In spite of everything, Rohit has a crucial innings for both his career and India. His confidence will be greatly boosted by this 73 at Adelaide.
“Rohit Sharma demonstrates his unwavering commitment,” Kaif said on his official ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) page.
Too much discussion on social media about his future, the hard pitch, the world-class pacers in action, Gill and Kohli being cheaply out… In spite of everything, Rohit has a crucial innings for both his career and India. His confidence will be greatly boosted by this 73 at Adelaide. Rohit proves he isn’t. –Oct. 23, 2025 — Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
India lost the match by two wickets, despite the half-centuries of Rohit and Shreyas. With fluent half-centuries from Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly, Australia crossed the finish line in 46.2 overs, giving the hosts an insurmountable 2-0 series lead.
On Saturday, October 25, the third and final ODI is scheduled to take place in Sydney. Shubman Gill and his team will aim to win so they can confidently go into the next T20I series.
India
