MELBOURNE (Kashmir English): Australian cricket fans may have their last chance to see India batting stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in action when they play the one-day international series starting in Perth today (Sunday).
At present, both 36-year-old Kohli and 38-year-old Rohit are active only in the ODIs but their future beyond the three-match series is uncertain.
Future of Kohli and Sharma beyond ODI series is uncertain
Head coach Gautam Gambhir was tight-lipped when asked whether the duo might continue under new captain Shubman Gill, who leads the ODI squad for the first time in Australia, adding more uncertainty about the future of the stalwarts.
Both last played for India in the Champions Trophy final in March this year when India beat New Zealand.
If Australia is to be their last opportunity to showcase their talent in international cricket, it will be in front of crowds packed with fans from the country’s booming Indian communities in Perth, Adelaide (October 23) and Sydney (October 25).
Australia will be without regular wicket-keeper Alex Carey for the Perth opener against India along with spinner Adam Zampa.
Josh Philippe will be behind the stumps, while left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann will be replacing Zampa.
The ODIs will be followed by a five-match T20I series starting in Canberra on October 29 as both nations tune up for the T20I World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.
