Indian legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli endured a dismal return to international cricket, both falling cheaply against Australia in the first ODI in Perth, reigniting long-standing concerns about their form Down Under. **PERTH, Australia, October 20, 2025** — The much-hyped return of Indian cricket stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the international arena turned into a nightmare for fans yesterday, as both batsmen capitulated against a formidable Australian pace attack. Their quick dismissals in the opening One-Day International (ODI) marked a disappointing start to India's three-match series, leaving supporters questioning the future of these two giants of the game. ^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}Sharma, leading the team in this format, managed a mere 8 runs, while Kohli shockingly departed for an 8-ball duck, his first-ever ODI zero on Australian soil. T^{[2][8][9][3][10][11]}his early collapse contributed significantly to India's seven-wicket defeat, dampening spirits after a seven-month hiatus for the veteran duo from international cricket. ^{[2][4][5][12][6][7]}### The Full Story The highly anticipated ODI clash at Optus Stadium on Sunday, October 19, 2025, was billed as a grand comeback for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who last played for India in the ICC Champions Trophy in March. H^[2][12]owever, the script quickly went awry under the overcast Perth skies. After Australia won the toss and elected to bowl, India's top order struggled to cope with the pace and bounce of the Australian quicks. ^{[1][5][10][7]}Rohit Sharma, opening the innings, showed a fleeting glimpse of his classic form with a beautiful straight drive off Mitchell Starc. B^[5][11]ut his stay was cut short when Josh Hazlewood, relentlessly targeting the off-stump line, found an outside edge with a delivery that climbed steeply, sending the ball to second slip. H^{[2][8][3][4][5][10][11][7]}e departed for 8 runs off 14 balls, leaving fans stunned. ^{[2][8][9][3][4][5][10][11]}Next came Virat Kohli, a player renowned for his exceptional record in Australia, where he had scored a century in his last Test appearance. Y^[13][11]et, his return to the ODI format was even more disheartening. Facing Mitchell Starc, a long-time rival, Kohli attempted an ambitious drive outside the off-stump, a flaw that has occasionally plagued him. T^{[1][8][3][10][11]}he thick edge flew directly to Cooper Connolly at backward point, ending Kohli's innings without scoring a single run from eight deliveries. T^{[2][8][3][4][10][6][11]}his marked his first duck in 30 ODI innings in Australia. ^{[3][10][11][7]}India's innings never truly recovered from these early jolts, frequently interrupted by rain. D^[4][5][6]espite some resistance from KL Rahul (38 off 30 balls) and Axar Patel (31 off 38 deliveries), India could only manage 136 for nine in their allotted 26 overs. A^[4][5][6][7]ustralia comfortably chased down the revised target of 131 with seven wickets in hand, led by Mitchell Marsh's unbeaten 46. ^[4][6][7]This performance immediately brought back memories of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in 2024-25, where both players had a "dismal series" that ultimately led to their retirement from Test cricket earlier this year. T^[1][9]hey had also retired from T20 Internationals in 2024. ^{[2][9][12][6]}### What This Means For Indian cricket fans, the disappointment was palpable and immediate. Social media platforms were flooded with frustrated reactions and memes, with many lamenting their "Sunday barbaad" (Sunday ruined) and openly questioning the duo's future in ODI cricket. T^{[2][8][5][14]}he quick failures of two of India's biggest stars on their comeback tour have sparked a significant debate about their preparation and continued relevance for the 2027 ODI World Cup. ^{[1][15][8][3][14][12][6][11]}**Key Points:** * Rohit Sharma scored 8 runs and Virat Kohli a duck in the 1st ODI against Australia on October 19, 2025. *^{[2][8][9][3][4]} This was their first international match after a seven-month break since the Champions Trophy in March 2025. *^{[2][3][10][12][6]} Kohli's duck was his first in 30 ODI innings in Australia. *^{[3][10][11][7]} The failures follow a "dismal series" in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which led to their Test retirements. *^[1][9] Fans expressed significant disappointment, and experts called for them to play domestic cricket. ^{[2][8][14][11]}### The Bigger Picture The struggle of Kohli and Sharma against Australia, particularly in crucial matches or tours, is not entirely new. Despite their overall stellar records against Australia and in Australia in ODIs – Kohli boasts an average of 54.46 with 8 centuries, and Rohit an even higher average of 57.30 with 8 centuries against the Aussies – recent performances have been concerning. Rohit^[15] is just 7 sixes short of Shahid Afridi's record for most sixes in men's ODIs, and close to 1,000 runs in Australia, a feat no other Indian has achieved. Howev^[16]er, these statistics now feel distant from their current form. Former Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron, speaking after the match, didn't mince words, urging the superstar batters to "drop ego" and emulate MS Dhoni by playing domestic cricket to maintain match fitness. Given^[9][14][11] that both players have now retired from Tests and T20Is, focusing solely on ODIs, Aaron stressed that regular match practice in tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy is crucial. This ^[9][14][11]sentiment echoes earlier statements from Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, who also emphasized the importance of performing in domestic competitions for future selection. ### ^[14]What Happens Next? With two more ODIs remaining in the series, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to see if they can bounce back. The immediate challenge is to regain form and confidence ahead of the next fixtures in Adelaide and Sydney. Beyond this series, their performances will undoubtedly be under intense scrutiny as India plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Rohit Sharma has publicly stated his desire to play in the 2027 World Cup, but consistent failures could put that ambition at risk. The ^[8][12]path forward for these two legends might involve a strategic shift towards more domestic cricket, ensuring they stay sharp and competitive. Their ability to adapt and prove their mettle in the upcoming matches and domestic tournaments will be critical in determining the final chapter of their illustrious careers and India's prospects in future ODI tournaments. The coming weeks will reveal whether these recent struggles are a temporary blip or a sign of a larger trend for India's celebrated batting duo.

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