The hype around Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's much-awaited return to international cricket quickly gave way to disappointment in Perth, as both faltered against Australia's fast bowlers in the first ODI after an eight-month hiatus.
The others to arrive after a delayed flight were K L Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy along with some members of the support staff.
Play domestic cricket to maintain fitness, Jagdale advises Kohli and Rohit
Virat Kohli moved up to No. 4 in the latest ICC rankings with a match-winning hundred against South Africa in the first ODI at Ranchi boosting his ascend.
For a team that once struggled for basic infrastructure, the T20 World Cup is being viewed as a defining leap rather than just another appearance for Nepal.
Shubman Gill warmly greeted senior pros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of the Indian team's departure to Australia for a white-ball series.
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak dismissed the notion that the senior duo looked rusty, countering suggestions that their preparation had been insufficient.
The 38 year old has transformed his physique ahead of the coming ODI series in Australia, shedding noticeable weight and showing the results of intense off-field training since the conclusion of IPL 2025 in June.
Virat Kohli has enjoyed a phenomenal run with the bat recently, amassing 700 runs in his last 10 innings in 50-overs cricket.
Rohit Sharma, who was dropped as India's ODI captain earlier this month, has worked diligently to improve his fitness ahead of the three-match ODI series in Australia.
'Should a player with such deep understanding of the ODI format be removed from captaincy when neither age nor performance has dimmed his brilliance?', asks veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar.
Shubman Gill said the masterly innings of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli helped him register his maiden win as India's ODI skipper.
IMAGES from the ICC 2026 T20 World Cup match played between England and Nepal in Mumbai on Sunday
Former coach Ravi Shastri believes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's form in Australia will play a decisive role in shaping their ODI future.
The series in Australia could well be Rohit's last in India Blues. But Kohli, given his high fitness standards, could play on until the 2027 World Cup.
Rohit spent nearly a week at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru last month
Virat Kohli, 36, and Rohit Sharma, 38, are active internationally only in the 50-overs format but their future beyond the three-match series is uncertain.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla said that head coach Gautam Gambhir has a firm grip on the team and is popular among the players.
As India start their T20 World Cup title defence in less than 72 hours, one is tempted to look at Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir's working relationship which has been fantastic, at least so going by the results -- a whopping 31 wins in 39 games with a winning percentage of 79.48.
The ladies looked gorgeous at Monisha Advani, her brother Nikkhil Advani and their business partner Madhu G Bhojwani's Diwali party. But the guest list includes this swish set too.
The cricketing ecosystem has learned to survive the prolonged absence of Kohli and Rohit -- at least in two formats -- in this interim period.
Rohit Sharma first wore the ODI captaincy armband in 2017 and led India in 56 ODIs, winning a stunning 42, while losing just 12.
This happened following India's practice session that saw both India's senior batters hit the nets at the Optus Stadium.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir says his high-pressure job feels a bit easier in the T20 format thanks to the "calm leadership" of Suryakumar Yadav.
The two greats showed their class with some brilliant shots during the practice session.
Rohit Sharma hit a magnificent 121, while Virat Kohli stroked 74 in India's emphatic nine-wicket victory against Australia in Sydney.
An accused in the 2020 murder of gangster Goldy Brar's cousin was fatally shot in Mohali. Police suspect Brar's involvement, citing threats and a social media claim of responsibility.
Rohit Sharma hit an unbeaten century, while Virat Kohli returned to form with a fluent fifty as India cruised to an emphatic nine-wicket victory in the inconsequential third and final ODI against Australia.
Stand-in skipper Harry Manenti called it a dream come true as Italy secured their maiden T20 World Cup win with a dominant 10-wicket victory over Nepal.
Indian batter and former ODI skipper Rohit Sharma expressed his excitement for the tour to Australia and how much he loves playing against the current 50-over world champions.
Mitchell, who was instrumental in New Zealand's historic ODI series win over India on January 18, is the new World No 1 batter in ODIs.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will need a lot of game time going forward now that they play only one format but a decision on how the two white ball legends will stay in rhythm will be decided once the South Africa ODI series is over, skipper Shubman Gill said on Saturday.
With Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid at the helm, India bounced back from their heartbreak of losing in the final of 2023 ODI World Cup at home to Australia by winning the next two ICC events -- the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
'The atmosphere he has created in the team -- he has tried to infuse a culture of playing for the team and not focusing on personal milestones.'
Paying a heartfelt tribute to Rohit Sharma, former India player Dinesh Karthik on Saturday said the swashbuckling opener led from the front and taught the team how to win the big moments and matches that mattered the most during his time as captain.
Dipendra Singh Airee and Sompal Kami's late partnership helped Nepal reach 133 for 8 against the West Indies in their T20 World Cup Group C match. Airee's 58 and Kami's unbeaten 26 lifted Nepal after a poor start.
West Indies will look to maintain their winning form against a struggling Nepal side in their T20 World Cup Group C match at the Wankhede Stadium. West Indies have won both their matches so far, while Nepal are coming off a heavy defeat against Italy.
Robin Uthappa on Shubman Gill's ODI captaincy, says 'Rohit will be 41 by 2027 World Cup'
Rohit Sharma hit a century and Virat Kohli a bright 74 to drive India to a nine-wicket win in the third one-day international on Saturday
'It might take a little time to find the right preparation rhythm to face the best bowlers in the world.'
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