Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Send Message to Indian Selectors with Statement Knock Against Australia Amid Retirement Buzz

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma returned to the team for the Australia ODIs, having last played together in the 2025 Champions Trophy final win.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Send Message to Indian Selectors with Statement Knock Against Australia Amid Retirement Buzz

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli looked at their best in the final ODI against Australia in Sydney. (via NDTV Sports)

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Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli delivered emphatic performances in the third and final ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, silencing critics. They helped India triumph by a margin of nine wickets, while also sending a clear message to selectors amidst retirement speculation. 

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s future with the Indian ODI team, given the duo have already retired from Tests and T20Is over the past year. Despite the duo indicating that they wish to continue playing ODIs until the 2027 WC, the team management and selectors are preparing for life without them, with Shubman Gill‘s accession to captaincy being an introductory move.

Sharma and Kohli returned to Team India colors after seven months, for the three ODIs against Australia. However, their much-anticipated return turned out to be an underwhelming one, with the Men in Blue losing the first two ODIs to hand away the series to the home side. Kohli’s form was scrutinized after he recorded consecutive ducks, while Sharma scored eight runs in Perth, and followed it up with 73 runs in Adelaide. 

With the series out of India’s grasp, the Men in Blue won the third ODI in a convincing manner at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia opted to bat first, but were bowled out for just 236 runs, with Hashit Rana picking up his maiden ODI four-wicket haul.

In response, India chased down the 237-run total in just 38.3 overs, as Rohit Sharma scored an unbeaten 121 runs off 125 deliveries, while Virat Kohli provided support with 74 runs off 81 balls. 

The 38-year-old recorded his 33rd ODI hundred, hitting 13 boundaries and three sixes, as he shattered Virat Kohli’s record for the most One-Day hundreds by a visiting batter in Australia. Their unbeaten 168-run stand also sent a clear message to selectors, given the uncertainty surrounding their futures. It also brought an end to rumors that the Australia tour might be their last international outing with the team. 

Virat Kohli also went past Kumar Sangakkara’s record, and now occupies the second spot on the all-time leading run-getters list in ODI cricket history. It remains to be seen whether Sharma and Kohli return to play for the Indian ODI team next month, when they face South Africa at home.

Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI record, now has the most 50+ scored while chasing 

Ace Indian batter Virat Kohli brought up his 75th ODI fifty, in the third and final match of the series against Australia, in Sydney. The 36-year-old former Indian captain also went past Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most 50+ scores by a batter while chasing in the format. 

Virat Kohli record Sachin Tendulkar
Virat Kohli went past Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most 50+ scores in run-chases in ODIs. (via India Today)

Virat Kohli brought up his first runs in the ODI series against Australia, after having faltered in the two opening matches. He finished with 74 runs off 81 deliveries, helping India triumph in the 237-run chase.

With this, Kohli also broke the record for the most 50+ scores in the second innings in ODIs, going past countryman Sachin Tendulkar. He now stands on top with 70 fifty+ scores, ahead of Tendulkar’s 69 fifty+ scores. 

The 36-year-old also ranks first on the list of players the most hundreds in run-chases in ODIs, with a record 28 tons to his name, that perfectly justifies his stature as ‘chase-master’. In total, Kohli now has 126 fifty+ scores to his name in ODIs, which includes a whopping 51 hundreds, adding up to his overall tally of 14,255 runs in the format at an average of 57.71 throughout his career.

Furthermore, Kohli’s 168-run second wicket partnership with Sharma in Sydney marked a record-breaking feat for the duo. Kohli and Sharma matched Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly’s record for the most 150+ runs partnership in ODIs, with 12 each.

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