India’s national cricket team’s spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel and Australia’s national cricket team’s explosive opening batsman Travis Head spoke to reporters ahead of the opening match of the ODI series.
The first match of the three-match ODI series between India National Cricket Team and Australia National Cricket Team will be played on Sunday 19 October at Perth Stadium.
He has been brilliant for India, I think Axar Patel can talk more about Travis Head
The hype surrounding the ODI series is huge, not only because the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 finalists will be facing each other, but also because of the return of veteran batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Kohli and Rohit have been out of competitive cricket for a long time. This is because both have retired from Test and T20I cricket and are active only in ODIs at the international level.
He was last seen in action in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, where Virat Kohli-starrer Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) won their maiden title. Both Kohli and Rohit have been training very hard to prepare themselves well for the Australia series, but only time will tell how they will perform.
Ahead of the opening encounter, Travis Head and Axar Patel had a short chat with reporters, where the Australian opener was asked about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He responded by calling Virat Kohli the greatest white-ball cricketer of all time and said that Rohit Sharma is also not far behind. Travis Head said:
“They have been fantastic for India, I think Akshar can speak more about them than me. But two quality players, two of the best white-ball players. Virat is probably the greatest white-ball player of all time. Rohit is not far behind him.”
I have a lot of respect for what Rohit is capable of doing – Travis Head
Travis Head further praised Rohit Sharma and expressed his admiration for the things that the opening batsman has been able to do for Indian cricket over the years.
The explosive Australian opener also said that both Rohit and Kohli will play the 2027 World Cup, while looking towards Axar Patel, who started smiling after hearing Head’s words.
He said, “Someone who opens the batting. I have a lot of respect for what Rohit is capable of doing. I’m sure he will be missed at some level, but I think they are both going to 2027 (Akshar Patel and the all-rounder look on smilingly). They are both trying to get to the World Cup. It is great for the game that they are still playing.”
– Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) 17 October 2025
If you talk about his form, he is preparing well – Akshar Patel
Axar Patel has replaced Ravindra Jadeja in India’s ODI squad for the Australia tour and is likely to be a part of the starting eleven.
Talking about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Akshar Patel said that they are world class players and are preparing well for the Australia ODI series.
“They are world-class players. They know what to do, and they are ready to go. They are professionals and they know what to do. They are ready to go,” Akshar said.
“If you talk about their form, they have been preparing well, so I think they are ready. Everyone has given their fitness test, they are raring to go now,” he said.
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