SYDNEY: Veteran superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have hit the ground running in Australia, leading Team India’s first training session with rigour ahead of the much-anticipated ODI series starting this Sunday.
Both former captains, who last played for India in the Champions Trophy earlier this year, batted for nearly 30 minutes in the nets. With their international careers now focused solely on the 50-over format, all eyes are on their performance Down Under.
This series is especially crucial for Virat Kohli, who is on the verge of rewriting the record books and silencing his critics.
The Records in Kohli’s Sights
While Kohli has already surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most ODI centuries (51 vs. 49), he is currently tied with the “Master Blaster” on another unique feat: the most centuries in a single format of the game.
- Most Centuries in a Single Format: Kohli holds 51 centuries in ODIs, while Tendulkar holds the record of 51 centuries in Test cricket. One more ton from Kohli in this series will take his ODI tally to 52, making him the only player in history to score 52 or more centuries in a single format.
- Second-Highest ODI Run-Scorer: Kohli is also within striking distance of another milestone. With 14,181 ODI runs, he is the third-highest run-scorer of all time. He needs just 54 runs to overtake Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs) and claim the second spot, behind only Sachin Tendulkar (18,426).
- Australian Milestone: Having scored 802 runs in 18 matches in Australia, Kohli also has the opportunity to unlock another feat by crossing the 900 or 1,000-run mark on Australian soil during this series.
Final Tour for the Legends?
This series could well be the last time cricket fans see the two ODI greats, Kohli (36) and Rohit (38), tour Australia. With their futures beyond these three matches uncertain, both will be keen to make a significant impact.
India enters the series with an unbeaten streak in the ODI format this year, but the formidable Australian side will be a tough challenger on their home turf.
