Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be seen on a cricket field for the first time since since June this year and in India colours for the first time since March when they take the field in Australia in the upcoming three-match ODI series. There is a sense of this being the last time that the pair will play in Australia but opener Travis Head thinks different.
Head told reporters a couple of days before the start of the series that he has huge respect for Rohit in particular as a fellow opener. Rohit is widely regarded as one of the greatest ODI openers of all time while Head has been a mainstay for Australia in the position, playing a crucial role in their 2023 World Cup win with a century in the final. “Two quality players, two of the great white-ball players – Virat probably is the greatest white-ball player and Rohit’s not far behind,” he said on Friday. “(As) someone who opens the batting in the same format, I hold huge regard for Rohit and what he’s been able to do.
“I’m sure they’ll be missed at some stage, but I think they’re both going to 2027, they’re both trying to get that World Cup and it’s great for the game that they’re still playing (in this) format.”
Rohit will be 40 by the time the 2027 World Cup comes around while Kohli will be 37. The pair have retired from Tests and T20Is, which is why there is a sense that this might be their last tour of Australia, regardless of whether they intend to push on and play in the World Cup or not. Rohit has played 30 ODIs in Australia and scored 1328 runs at an average of 53.12 with five centuries and four half-centuries. Kohli, meanwhile, has 1327 runs in Australia at an average of 51.03 in 29 ODIs with five centuries and six half-centuries.
