Shastri, Ponting React to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Flop Return in Perth ODI

India's cricket stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli endured a challenging return to international action, scoring just 8 runs and a duck, respectively, in the first ODI against Australia at Perth Stadium on October 19, 2025. The veterans, who retired from Test and T20I formats within the last 18 months, made their 50-over comeback since the ICC Champions Trophy in March, amid speculation over their longevity ahead of the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Their modest outings against a pace-friendly pitch and Australia's quality seam attack have sparked debates on rustiness from a prolonged absence, but former India coach Ravi Shastri urged patience, emphasising the duo's class and the need for adjustment time in demanding Australian conditions.

Shastri, speaking on the sidelines of the series, acknowledged the inevitable teething issues after a long layoff. "When you come back from a long layoff, you are obviously going to be rusty. It's not easy for any overseas team to land in Australia, say, two days prior to a game in Perth and adjust to those conditions straight away, especially when you have that extra bounce and are against quality fast bowlers," he said.

He advocated waiting before passing judgement, highlighting the importance of enjoyment, hunger, and passion at this stage of their careers. "So if you tick the boxes in two out of those three, especially the enjoyment part of it, then you can give them both time because they've got class, they've got experience, and a little bit of time will sort things out," Shastri added. With the next match in Adelaide offering flatter tracks and net sessions for fine-tuning, he remains optimistic that their pedigree will shine through, provided the mental reset occurs swiftly.

Echoing Shastri's call for composure, Australian legend Ricky Ponting stressed the value of immediate targets over distant aspirations. Ponting, a two-time World Cup-winning captain, expressed discomfort with narratives of total achievement, insisting players like Kohli must set tangible series-specific goals. "The one thing I don't like hearing from anyone is that 'I've achieved everything in the game' because I think you still have to have some really short-term goals and not just be hanging on to try and get through to the 2027 World Cup," he remarked.

Praising Kohli's innate motivation, Ponting suggested the batsman likely has personal benchmarks for the tour. "Virat's always been a highly motivated person. And I'd like to think that he's probably sat down and even just given himself some goals and things that he can achieve in this series here in Australia," he said, noting upcoming batsman-friendly venues like Adelaide Oval as ideal for rediscovery.

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The Perth debacle, where India chased a revised target under the controversial DLS method amid rain interruptions, has intensified scrutiny on the ageing core of the team. Rohit and Kohli's combined experience—over 500 ODIs and multiple World Cup triumphs—remains a cornerstone, yet their form will be pivotal for India's campaign. As the three-match series progresses, both experts' insights underscore a blend of empathy and expectation: time to acclimatise, but no room for complacency. Shastri's faith in their resilience and Ponting's push for proactive mindset shifts offer a balanced lens, reminding us that true greatness often rebounds from early setbacks in the unforgiving arena of international cricket.

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