Rohit, Kohli Set To Return As Squad For Australia ODIs To Be Announced On… | Cricket News

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to make their much-awaited returns as the Indian squads for the white-ball tour of Australia are expected to be announced in the coming days. The two Indian stalwarts, who have retired from Tests and T20Is, will most likely board the flight to Australia for the three ODIs, starting October 19 in Perth.

According to PTI, the selectors are likely to sit down on Saturday, the third day of the ongoing first Test against the West Indies in Ahmedabad, to pick the squads. Another report on Cricbuzz stated that he announcement will be made on Saturday itself.

Both Rohit and Kohli have been working hard after a seven-month layoff from international cricket since the Champions Trophy triumph in March. While Kohli scored a hundred against Pakistan and also top-scored in the semi-final against Australia, Rohit shrugged off his poor form with a match-winning knock against New Zealand in the final.

The report further stated that since there are only six ODIs this season, a concrete decision might not be taken in haste.

The priority at the moment rests with the T20 World Cup early next year at home, and gaining the maximum WTC points from the four home Tests in 2025.

Discussion on Injury Concerns

As stated by the PTI, the likes of Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant won’t be available due to injuries. Pandya sustained a quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup and had to miss out on the all-important final against Pakistan. On the other hand, Pant is recovering from his toe injury, which ruled him out of the England tour midway.

It has also been learned that Test skipper Shubman Gill, who is currently leading India in the 2-match Test series against West Indies, will be asked to rest from either ODIs or T20Is or both.

Jasprit Bumrah’s Workload

Bumrah is required in both Tests against World Champions South Africa, even if the medical team and the player decide to opt out of the Delhi game against the West Indies, which is still unclear. Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, though, specified that he has made himself available for both games against the West Indies.

However, having played the Asia Cup and now two Tests, a three-week break before another tough Test assignment, followed by a T20I series in the run-up to the T20 World Cup, the logical conclusion is to give Bumrah a break from both the white ball series Down Under, which includes extensive travelling.

Samson Likely To Pip Jurel

Sanju Samson, with a strike-rate of nearly 100 and an average of 55-plus across 14 ODIs, might just pip Dhruv Jurel for the second wicketkeeper’s slot with KL Rahul set to don the big gloves one more time in the 50-over format.

(With PTI Inputs)