Australia’s stand-in captain and star all-rounder Mitchell Marsh made a funny statement on the returning Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ahead of the three-match ODI series starting on Sunday, October 19 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are making a comeback in India with the upcoming ODI series in Australia. The former Indian captains were last seen in action during the Men in Blue’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 victory in the UAE earlier this year.
Mitchell Marsh shares funny thing on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s return to India
Amid speculation over the ODI future of the Indian batsmen, Mitchell Marsh praised Rohit and Kohli, saying it was a privilege to play against them and described them as legends of the game. Marsh also termed Kohli as the greatest chaser of all time.
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The upcoming ODI series holds added significance, as it could be the last time fans see both Kohli and Rohit in action on Australian soil. Tickets for the first match to be held in Perth have already been sold and the star all-rounder hopes that Virat and Rohit will not just come and show their amazing style with the bat.
Notably, over 175,000 tickets have been sold across the three matches, which shows the excitement around Kohli and Rohit’s return to action. Both players have impressed by showing energy, timing and readiness during training at the Optus Stadium, giving fans expect exciting performances.
Had the privilege of playing against him: Mitchell Marsh
Mitchell Marsh said in the pre-match press conference, “I was fortunate to play against him quite a few times during the tour. He is obviously a legend of the game. Virat, especially in this white-ball format, is the greatest chaser I have ever seen.”
He added, “I think you can see why ticket sales are so high and why so many people are coming to see them. And if it’s their last time on Australian soil, I hope they enjoy it, and I hope people get to see not just a lot of great cricket from them, but two great players playing in Australia.”
Mitchell Marsh reveals Australia’s strategy for Perth ODI
Meanwhile, Marsh has shared his views on the pitch and team strategy ahead of the first ODI in Perth. Traditionally the pitch has been known to favor the bowlers initially, giving the fast bowlers a chance to make an impact, but if the batsmen start cautiously, the game can turn into a high-scoring one.
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Despite favorable conditions for bowlers, the Australian team is not planning to go with four fast bowlers. Marsh has indicated that one or two players from the host team may make their debut in the first ODI, but the final lineup will be revealed at the time of the toss.
The regular T20I captain also confirmed that all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will bat at number three, even though he has been opening in the recent home games. The captain stressed that the difference between opening and batting at number three is minimal and he expects every player to play his role and deliver an effective performance against India.