Follow UsStar batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will make their much-awaited return to international cricket as India take on Australia in a three-match ODI series, starting October 19 (Sunday). Having retired from Tests and T20Is, they return to the ODI set-up with one eye on the 2027 World Cup.
While many experts believe that they need to play domestic cricket to stay match fit, former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson believes they can ace the challenge of playing just one format.
“For Virat and Rohit, it is going to be a challenge playing just one format of international cricket. Getting their skills sharp again to face the best bowlers will take some adjustment," Watson said while speaking on JioStar.
“But you can never rule out champions, and Virat and Rohit are exactly that. It may take a bit of time for them to find the right preparation, but once they do, they will be ready to go when they take on Australia."
India are entering a new era in ODIs under Shubman Gill, but the focus of the series will be on Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who also returns to the team for the first time since March.
Watson believes it will not take much time for the two batters to find their rhythm. “It might take a little time to find the right preparation rhythm to face the best bowlers in the world. But these two are as good as one-day batters get. It would not take them long to find the right formula and get back to their best; their class and consistency are second to none," Watson said.
Both Kohli and Rohit have been in stunning form in ODIs of late. Since 2023, Rohit has smashed 1,714 runs at 48.97 along with a strike rate of 117.23. Kohli, on the other hand, has 1,710 runs at 61.07, which includes 17 50-plus scores in 34 innings.