No Gambhir With Team: Kohli, Rohit Depart for Australia ODI Series
Kohli and Rohit depart for Australia ODIs; coach Gambhir to join later with staff.
Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma departed for Australia on Wednesday morning with the first batch of players for a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia, starting October 19 in Perth. The duo, joined by Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, and pacers Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna, was spotted at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, drawing a small crowd of enthusiastic fans. The series, which also includes matches in Adelaide and Sydney, marks India’s latest bid to assert dominance in the 50-over format ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir and the remaining support staff are scheduled to depart for Australia later this evening, completing the team’s travel arrangements. The ODI series will be followed by a five-match T20 International series starting October 29, with format specialists expected to join the squad on October 22. The tour follows India’s recent 2-0 Test series victory over the West Indies, boosting momentum as the team transitions to limited-overs cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed the squad’s readiness, despite recent debates over selections, including the omission of pacer Mohammed Shami.
The series has sparked significant interest due to speculation about the future roles of Kohli and Sharma, both of whom have retired from Test and T20I formats. At a recent press conference, Gambhir addressed their inclusion, emphasising their experience and quality. “They are coming back. Their experience is going to be valuable in Australia,” he said, sidestepping questions about their participation in the 2027 World Cup. He expressed hope for a successful tour, prioritising team performance over individual milestones in the high-stakes series.
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The upcoming matches are seen as a critical test for India’s ODI strategy, with Australia presenting a formidable challenge on home soil. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the veteran duo performs alongside emerging talents like Gill and Jaiswal. With Gambhir’s leadership and a balanced squad, India aims to secure a series win, setting a strong tone for the T20I leg and future global tournaments.
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