Pat Cummins captured the sentiment perfectly, calling this potentially the 'last chance' for fans Down Under to witness these legends in action. With both stalwarts set to be 39 and 40 respectively by the 2027 World Cup, every appearance carries added significance. Ro-Ko have been the heartbeat of Indian cricket for over 15 years. Their return brings an emotional lift to the team and raises expectations for the series against the world champions.
This series also marks the return of two Indian heavyweights who will be seen in action for the first time in the Indian jersey since the ICC Champions Trophy Final earlier this year.
Kuldeep was instrumental to India's success at the Asia Cup, topping the wicket-taking chart with 17 wickets. Chopra explained the rationale behind dropping the left-arm wrist spinner, attributing it to batting depth.
Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis and spinner Adam Zampa will miss Australia's first one-day international against India in Perth on Sunday, Cricket Australia said on Tuesday.
Even as the rain poured, the mood in the stands never did. Ponchos, cheers and chants filled the arena as fans danced through the drizzle, refusing to let the weather wash away their excitement.
Captain Shubman Gill acknowledged losing early wickets was one of the big reasons for India's loss in the rain-hit first ODI against Australia.
'Am I the reason team will lose? Kuldeep might think, I am bowling so well, even after that I am not playing, then am I the problem in this team?'
Australia batter Matthew Short believes his team's pacers will continue to exploit Virat Kohli's recent weakness outside off stump when India face Australia in the second ODI, in Adelaide, on Thursday.
Steve Smith and George Bailey's brilliant knocks overshadowed Rohit Sharma's magnificent 171 as Australia beat India by five wickets in the first ODI of the five-match series in Perth on Tuesday.
Australia captain Steve Smith led by example, smashing an unbeaten 108 against a sloppy Pakistan to secure his team's seven-wicket victory with five overs to spare in the third one-day international in Perth on Thursday.
Seamer Mitchell Starc grabbed a second successive five-wicket haul and George Bailey his maiden international century as Australia beat West Indies by 54 runs in the second one-dayer at the WACA on Sunday.
More excited than nervous at the prospect of squaring off against the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Australia's uncapped pacer Joel Paris on Saturday said his team's bowlers only need to focus on accuracy to tame India's 'world-class' batters in the One-Day International series starting on January 12.
Claiming to be short of a seamer all-rounder, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he has no option but field three fast bowlers and two spinners in a five-pronged attack for India's first ODI of the five-match series against Australia, in Perth, on Tuesday.
Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar says pink ball should be used in One-day cricket to make it more competitive since white ball leaves nothing for the bowlers.
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has pointed out that the Indian bowling is simply not good enough for the Australian conditions.
But the ODI captain was critical of spinners for their failure to come good in the first ODI against Australia on Tuesday
India's reluctance to accept the Decision Review System in its current form has cost them what would have been a crucial, match-changing wicket in their loss to Australia at the WACA Ground on Tuesday. The home side were in trouble at 2-21 in the fifth over chasing 310 for victory when debutant quick Barinder Sran and India's fielders appealed for a leg-side catch from George Bailey's first ball. A muted appeal from captain and wicketkeeper MS Dhoni may have contributed to the not out decision from umpire Richard Kettleborough, but replays showed a clear deflection from Bailey's glove.
Australia batsman George Bailey said the presence of the Decision Review System could have made the half-hearted, first ball appeal against him in the first ODI against India in Perth on Tuesday "interesting".
Do you feel Dhoni should bring in all-rounder Dhawan for Jadeja, or strengthen the pace attack by playing Ishant? Select your Indian team for the second match against Australia, in Brisbane, on Friday, January 15.
Statistician Rajneesh Gupta has interesting numbers from the first ODI between India and Australia the match. Check them out.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that he never thought his spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will have such a 'bad day' but also praised Australian skipper Steve Smith and George Bailey for playing exceptionally well in the middle overs. Ashwin (2/69 in 9 overs) and Jadeja (0/61 in 9 overs) together gave away 129 runs in 18 overs as India lost the opening ODI by five wickets. "When I was speaking about sharing the load before the match, I was speaking about when the fast-bowlers don't have a very good day then I will have to use the spinner. "I never thought it will be the spinners who will have a very bad day and the others will have to share that responsibility," Dhoni said at the post-match press conference.
Former captain Sunil Gavaskar says if India wants to win the ongoing five-match ODI series in Australia they need to find a way to dismiss home team skipper Steven Smith early.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances