Mixed Fortunes At Adelaide As Rohit Excels, Kohli Falters

ADELAIDE – India’s middle-order resilience was on display in patches as Rohit Sharma led the fightback with a gritty 73 against Australia in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval, even as early setbacks from Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli left the team under pressure.

Rohit, facing criticism after scoring just eight runs in the series opener in Perth, began cautiously, reaching eight runs off 28 balls. But he gradually found his rhythm, combining patience with aggression to end on 73 off 97 deliveries, including seven fours and two sixes. The innings, his slowest ODI fifty, not only steadied India’s innings but also allowed the middle order to build, showcasing Rohit’s enduring class and composure. In doing so, he became the first Indian to score 1,000 ODI runs in Australia against the hosts and surpassed Sourav Ganguly to become India’s third-highest ODI run-scorer with 11,249* runs.

Rohit’s brief second-wicket partnership with Kohli, which lasted just four balls, marked their 100th ODI stand, highlighting the longevity and success of the duo, who have shared 5,315 runs across 100 innings.

While Rohit’s innings offered hope, Kohli’s struggle continued as he recorded his second consecutive duck in the series — the first time in his 50-over career he has registered back-to-back zeros. Outsmarted by Australia’s Xavier Bartlett, Kohli could not capitalize on his strong record at Adelaide, where he averages 52.70 in Tests and 61 in white-ball cricket.

The crowd, however, celebrated the Indian veteran’s illustrious career, giving him a standing ovation as he walked off, acknowledging the applause with a raised arm. Fans took to social media to praise his legacy, noting that even in a low moment, Kohli’s contribution to Indian cricket remains immense.

India captain Shubman Gill reflected on the defeat, emphasizing the missed chances in the field that proved costly while defending 264. “We had just enough runs on the board, but dropping a couple of chances makes it very difficult to defend that kind of total,” he said. With the series already lost 2-0, India looks to salvage pride in the final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25, hoping for contributions from veterans and young players alike. (IANS)