Indian captain Rohit Sharma returned to action in Australia, preparing for the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with an intense net session in Perth. His return follows the birth of his second child, and the skipper’s preparation has already sparked excitement ahead of the Day-Night Test in Adelaide.
In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rohit showcased his wide array of strokes, signaling his readiness to take the reins back from stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah. The session caught the attention of former Australian batter David Warner, now a commentator, who was heard encouraging Rohit during his practice.
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“Hitman @ImRo45 has just completed his first nets session in Australia, and even the commentators couldn’t keep calm!” the BCCI tweeted, further amplifying anticipation for his performance in the ongoing series.
Rohit’s record in Australia is a mix of potential and inconsistency. In seven matches Down Under, he has scored 408 runs at an average of 31.38, with three half-centuries and a top score of 63*. However, his recent form has been underwhelming.
In five Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand earlier this year, he managed only 133 runs in 10 innings, averaging 13.30. His scores during that phase included several low returns, raising concerns about his ability to anchor the innings.
Even in 2023, Rohit’s performances were inconsistent. He scored 588 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 29.40, with two centuries and two fifties. In the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, his tally stands at 833 runs in 14 matches, averaging 33.32.
Rohit’s return comes on the back of India’s commanding 295-run victory in the first Test in Perth. The match saw stellar performances from Bumrah, who claimed eight wickets and was named Player of the Match, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, whose 161 in the second innings anchored India’s massive lead.
India, batting first, managed only 150 runs in the first innings, with contributions from Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) and Rishabh Pant (37). Australia’s response was even weaker, bowled out for 104, with Bumrah taking 5/30 and debutant Harshit Rana impressing with 3/48.
In the second innings, India piled on 487/6, thanks to a 201-run opening stand between KL Rahul (77) and Jaiswal, followed by an unbeaten century from Virat Kohli (100*). Australia, chasing an improbable target of 534, put up some resistance through Travis Head (89) and Mitchell Marsh (47) but were eventually dismissed for 238. Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj took three wickets each to seal the victory.
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