Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were greeted by a large crowd of supporters at Delhi Airport on Wednesday as Team India departed for the Australia tour. Fans gathered in big numbers to see the two cricketing superstars before they boarded their flight for the upcoming three-match ODI series.
Kohli arrived in Delhi earlier this week from London after spending time with his family, while Rohit landed from Mumbai to join the rest of the squad. The sight of the senior players walking into the airport drew applause, cheers, and a flurry of camera flashes from excited supporters.
Shubman Gill to Lead India in ODIs
Most members of the squad were already in Delhi following the Test series against West Indies. Newly appointed ODI captain Shubman Gill will lead the team in the ODI series. Kohli and Rohit return to international action after a break, making this tour an important outing for the experienced pair.
Their last international match came during the 2025 Champions Trophy final in March. Their most recent competitive appearance was in IPL 2025.
Spotlight on ODI Future
With Rohit nearing 40 and Kohli 38 by the time the 2027 ODI World Cup arrives, their future in the format has become a topic of discussion. Head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the situation but emphasized the present.
“Look, 50-over World Cup is still two-and-a-half years away, and I think it is very important to stay in the present,” Gambhir told reporters on Tuesday. “That is very important. Obviously, they are quality players, they are coming back, their experience is going to be a handful in Australia as well. Hopefully, those two guys will have a successful tour, and more importantly, as a team, we will have a successful series.”
First ODI on Sunday
The India vs Australia ODI series begins this Sunday. With Kohli and Rohit back in the squad, expectations are high, and the enthusiastic welcome at the airport reflects the excitement ahead of the tour.
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