A long-awaited return ends in a damp first outing
The much-anticipated return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to India’s ODI setup didn’t go as scripted. Playing their first international match since the 2025 Champions Trophy final in March, the two senior batters struggled in bowler-friendly conditions in Perth during the opening match of the three-match ODI series against Australia.
Sharma fell for just 8 after hitting a solitary boundary, while Kohli registered a rare duck — his first on Australian soil — nicking Mitchell Starc to backward point. India managed only 136 in 26 overs, a total Australia chased down with ease in just 21.1 overs.
On a rain-hit day at Optus Stadium that tested both batting technique and mental readiness, it wasn’t just the scoreboard that stung — it was also the question of preparation. And that became the focal point for two former India stars — Mohammad Kaif and Irfan Pathan — both of whom voiced strong concerns on their respective YouTube channels.
Kaif says early travel could have made the difference
Mohammad Kaif was blunt in his assessment. He felt both Kohli and Sharma missed a crucial window to travel early to Australia and get match-ready — something that proved costly in tough conditions.
“Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had the opportunity. But maybe they thought they would go together with the team, as people are behind them anyway. There might have been pressure, like ‘Virat should travel with the team’; he has shifted to England, so that pressure was there. It would have been another problem if he had not travelled with the team. So he got caught in this.”
Kaif emphasized that even the best players need rhythm — especially when returning after a long break and facing a high-quality opponent like Australia.
“These two had an opportunity to go there eight to ten days earlier. No matter how big a batter you are, this is a game of rhythm. A team like Australia will not spare you if you are not in rhythm. I feel it would have been better if they had arrived earlier.”
He pointed specifically to Rohit’s dismissal — caught playing his signature pull shot — as a moment that exposed the lack of match sharpness.
“Rohit pulls the short ball. He pulls the ball that he got out to. But because he did not have enough game practice and it was seaming with Hazlewood in good rhythm, he had to be prepared. If he is in form, he hits that ball for a six. But maybe here he thought to take some time and get used to the pitch. He seemed to be in two minds. Due to a lack of practice and preparation, his confidence was low in this game.”
Irfan Pathan sees old issues resurfacing
If Kaif questioned the timing of travel, Irfan Pathan took a broader view, linking Kohli’s struggles to past mental battles — particularly those from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, after which both he and Rohit stepped away from Test cricket.
“Fitness is one thing and game time is one thing. That is why Rohit looked a bit troubled. It looked like the demons of the BGT were back for Virat. I hope this is not the case in Adelaide and Sydney. KL Rahul batted well today. Shreyas Iyer got into an awkward position. Maybe he can work a bit more on his technique. Axar does well whenever he gets an opportunity to bat ahead.”
Pathan also echoed Kaif’s point about early acclimatization — noting that getting in some match practice beforehand could have helped avoid the kind of collapse India endured in Perth.
“Whenever you tour such countries, it is always better to go early and play some games. It was going to be difficult for India. It was going to be a challenge as the conditions would not be easy. Our bowlers could not get the right lengths. The batters also had trouble with the bounce. If you had played a game or two, these mistakes would not have happened. It is important to think about these things going forward.”
A challenge for India’s senior core
The first ODI wasn’t just a bad day for the top order — it was also a moment that reopened conversations about how India’s most experienced players prepare for overseas conditions after long breaks. For Kohli and Sharma, the road back into form will now need to pass through Adelaide and Sydney, where India will hope for a better showing and fewer questions about rhythm, readiness, and responsibility.
As Kaif and Pathan made clear, even legends need time to adjust — and time, in elite sport, is a luxury few can afford.
