Sunil Gavaskar Expects Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to Score Big in Adelaide After Perth Failure

Ex-India opener Sunil Gavaskar showed complete faith in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's abilities to bounce back, ahead of 2nd ODI vs. Australia.

Sunil Gavaskar Expects Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to Score Big in Adelaide After Perth Failure

Sunil Gavaskar predicted big for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, ahead of second ODI vs. Australia. (via India Today)

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Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar made a bold prediction about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s form, ahead of the second ODI against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. Gavaskar suggested that the duo would bounce back, despite having failed to score big in the series opener in Perth.

The first ODI of the three-match series between India and Australia at the Perth Stadium marked Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma‘s return to the fold. The two batting stalwarts, who have already retired from two out of the three formats internationally, recorded their first appearance in Team India Colors since March this year. They last played for the Indian team at the 2025 Champions Trophy final, seven months back. 

While expectations were high from the two cricketing icons, their comeback to the ODI setup ended in a disappointment. Kohli and Sharma struggled to score runs, with the former getting dismissed for an eight-ball duck in the first ODI against Australia. Sharma on the other hand, scored just eight runs off 14 deliveries. The surface in Perth, with its swing and bounce, deceived the two Indian stalwarts.

Despite the poor showing in the Perth ODI, former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar stood strong in support of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The 76-year-old refused to overly critical of the duo’s woeful comeback, while emphasizing upon the fact that they failed to score runs as they returned to playing cricket after months of inactivity. The duo have remained out of action since the end of the 2025 IPL season. He told India Today:

They [Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma] were playing on probably the bounciest pitch in Australia. It wasn’t going to be easy, especially for players who haven’t played international cricket for a couple of months.

The 1983 World Cup-winner further suggested that he would not be surprised at Kohli and Sharma’s comeback in the remaining two ODIs against Australia, predicting scores of over 300 runs. He stressed on the need for more play time and net sessions for the duo to return to form. Apart from Sunil Gavaskar, several other former Indian players have urged the duo to play domestic cricket to remain in best shape. 

Don’t be surprised if Rohit [Sharma] and [Virat] Kohli score big in the next two games. The more they play, the more time they spend in the nets… the quicker they will find their rhythm.

It is expected for Kohli to run things and make a stunning comeback in the second ODI against Australia at the Adelaide Oval, a ground where he boasts impressive records. In the four ODIs that he has played at this venue, he has scored 244 runs at an average close to 61.

India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak defends Virat Kohli – Rohit Sharma duo

Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak opened up about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s form, despite recent slump in the first ODI against Australia in Perth. Kotak feels that the two senior players will deliver in the two remaining ODIs, and that they have not lost playing touch. 

Sitanshu Kotak on Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli
Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak talked about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s form. (via Hindustan Times)

The Men in Blue lost the low-scoring opener in Perth by seven wickets, with the match being reduced to just 26-overs-a-side due to rain. Batting first, India could only post 136/9 at the end of the first innings, courtesy Axar Patel and KL Rahul‘s knocks. The home side cruised to the revised 131-run target in just 21.1 overs, with captain Mitchell Marsh scoring an unbeaten 46 runs, which earned him the POTM award.

The most concerning aspect of the match was the collapse of India’s top-order, which saw Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma dismissed for single-digit scores. However, Team India batting coach Kotak exclaimed that the two players have not lost touch nor have they become ‘rusty’.

He instead blamed the adverse weather conditions for the disappointing batting display, while adding that Kohli and Sharma have prepared well for the two remaining ODIs. Kotak told the reporters:

I don’t think there was any rustiness [in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s batting]. Their preparation has been very good. I think both of them have a lot of experience… So I think it’s too early to even think like that [about their form].

Furthermore, Kotak exclaimed that the two batting stalwarts did well in the nets, and predicted them to score big in Adelaide. India will need to win the second match to remain in contention in the three-match ODI series, with the hosts currently leading 1-0. 

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