Rohit Sharma Spent Seven Days at CoE Preparing for Australia ODI Series

Indian Cricket Captain Rohit Sharma, recently stripped of his ODI leadership role, demonstrated unwavering commitment to his international career by dedicating nearly a week to rigorous training at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru last month. The 38-year-old opener, who last donned the India colours during the March 2025 ICC Champions Trophy triumph, arrived on September 13 for mandatory fitness assessments, including the Yo-Yo and newly introduced Bronco tests, before extending his stay for tailored net sessions.

This preparation, shrouded in relative secrecy amid the Asia Cup 2025 buzz, focused on acclimatising to Australia's bouncy pitches ahead of the three-match ODI series starting October 19 in Perth.

According to a detailed report in RevSportz, Sharma's regimen was meticulously designed to sharpen his technique against express pace. "His practice involved two hours of batting against tall fast bowlers—he had specifically requested for the same," the outlet revealed, noting that Sharma often pushed for extended sessions beyond the allotted time, even as support staff signalled the end.

The schedule incorporated double daily nets on select days, gym workouts with lighter weights for endurance, and confrontations against a pool of ten specialist bowlers supplemented by throwdown experts simulating variable bounce. Sharma, who retired from Test cricket in May 2025 after amassing 4,301 runs in 67 matches, also balanced intensity with recovery, including interactions with India U-19 prospects on September 20 to impart leadership insights.

Sharma's CoE immersion coincides with a transitional phase for Indian cricket, following the BCCI's bold decision on October 4 to appoint 26-year-old Shubman Gill as ODI skipper. The move, justified by chief selector Ajit Agarkar as a merit-driven evolution, has polarised opinions: fans lament the "end of an era" for Sharma and batting partner Virat Kohli, while experts applaud the long-term build-up to the 2027 World Cup.

Both veterans, absent from international duty since the Champions Trophy—where Sharma's 76 in the final earned Player of the Match honours—have been selected on performance clauses. Kohli, 36, joined Sharma for initial fitness drills, underscoring their shared resolve amid speculation of phased retirements. Sharma's IPL 2025 haul of 418 runs in 15 Mumbai Indians games provided a timely rhythm boost after a sluggish start.

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As India eyes redemption Down Under—following a 2-1 ODI series loss in 2024—the CoE stint signals Sharma's intent to silence doubters. South African legend AB de Villiers echoed this sentiment on October 6, warning that spots for the 2027 tournament hinge on runs: "They've got to score runs, and that should be the message from the selectors." With Gill at the helm and a squad blending youth like Yashasvi Jaiswal and experience, Sharma's return could stabilise the top order against Australia's pace battery, including Pat Cummins.

Yet, whispers of a potential India A outing against Australia A in Kanpur (September 30-October 5) suggest further tune-ups. In a format starved of bilateral series—only 20 ODIs slated before 2027—Sharma's grind at the CoE exemplifies the high-stakes meritocracy now defining Team India's white-ball resurgence.

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