The three-match ODI series in Australia, beginning in Perth today, is more significant for India than for the hosts. While the reigning world champions in the 50-over format have bragging rights to protect against the team they beat so memorably on its home turf, against the odds, to win their sixth crown, it’s obvious that the Aussies have more than one eye on the Ashes commencing in a month’s time.
It’s evident in the squad assembled for the games, made up basically of whoever was available. Even the Sheffield Shield matches have been prioritised over the ODIs, as they help their key players prepare for the clash with the Old Enemy for the urn the Aussies haven’t surrendered for a long time.
Skipper Pat Cummins is racing against time to be fit for the England series, ODI linchpins like Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell have retired from the format since the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year, wicketkeeper Josh Inglis will miss at least the first two games of the ODI series as he recovers from a calf strain, leg-spinner Adam Zampa will miss the Perth game to be at home with his expecting wife, as will Alex Carey as he prepares for a Shield game in the build-up to the Ashes. Cameron Green has also been a late withdrawal due to injury concerns. Lest we forget, David Warner is not part of the scene either and Australia have struggled to find a suitable successor.
Stand-in skipper Mitchell Marsh is an experienced hand, but consider some of the names in the Australian squad for the ODI series against India – Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Short, Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis and Matthew Kuhnemann. The Australian domestic structure is considered one of the most competitive in the world, and most of the players mentioned above have had some international experience, but these are not the sort of names expected to keep any opposition captain or coach awake at night. The aura and intimidation associated with sides of years gone by is missing.
With the next major ICC event being the T20 World Cup in India in February-March next year, it’s understandable that the five-match series in the shorter format, following the ODI rubber, will be more significant in terms of form, combinations, and preparation for the big event. The next global 50-over competition is two years away.
Stalwarts return
But for India, the three-match ODI series assumes significance due to the return to national colours of two stalwarts who have retired from international cricket in the other two formats. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma last played for India in the successful Champions Trophy campaign, more than seven months ago. The latter has since been relieved of captaincy in the format also, and their place in the plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup in southern Africa is anything but certain.
Neither of them has played a competitive game since the Indian Premier League season ended four and a half months ago, and their age and the stage of their careers would suggest that it takes longer to get into the groove, regardless of how much work one puts into training and net sessions. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a prime example. He has played every match for Chennai Super Kings over the last couple of years, but his primary contribution seems to be bringing fans through the turnstiles.
In that context, it would be interesting to see how Rohit and Virat do in the three matches Down Under. The Australian team may not look the strongest on paper, but the bowling attack still includes Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Both the Indian stalwarts have an enviable ODI record in Australia, averaging more than 50, but it’s been a long time since they last played a 50-over game there.
Pitches for the limited-overs games are generally more batting-friendly than the types they encountered in the Tests at the turn of the year, which hastened their Test retirement. That, and the nature of the format itself – their best – should give Rohit and Virat a fair chance of success.
Shubman Gill’s elevation to ODI captaincy means Rohit is no longer an automatic selection. He and Virat will have to prove their mettle with runs or any series – even this one – could be their last.
Clock is ticking
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has said that the 2027 World Cup is a long time away, but India, or any other top side, doesn’t play too many ODIs these days. Playing a handful of matches a year is not the best way to stay in the groove.
The two veterans may be asked to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy – the domestic 50-over competition – but that can be useful only for staying in batting rhythm. If they have the appetite, Virat and Rohit are likely to feast on bowling attacks that may be a notch or two below international standard.
Then again, directions to India players to turn out for their respective state teams have been given in the past too, but not always followed. In Indian cricket, stars reign supreme and the biggest ones don’t play domestic cricket unless there’s no way out. There are no consequences, according to the colonial-era dictum “Show me the man and I’ll show you the law.”
But that’s a debate for another day. Rohit and Virat probably have to treat every series (or maybe, every match) as an audition if they have ambitions of playing the 2027 World Cup, even though Agarkar has said that the duo is not on trial. It’s no secret that falling short in the 2023 final on home soil after rolling through the tournament like a juggernaut was a bitter pill to swallow. Australia, in any case, have provided the biggest challenge throughout their careers, but now the task confronting both of them is to prolong them. They would dearly love another crack at the biggest trophy in the sport, if they earn it.
As far as the series in Australia goes, their presence could only help Gill, who is taking over the ODI reins after a stellar start to his Test captaincy. Having the two preceding all-format captains to bounce ideas off can only be beneficial for the 26-year-old. With most of the spotlight on Rohit and Virat, Gill can slip seamlessly into his new role.