Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh believes Virat Kohli’s comeback to the ODI squad for the Australia tour will be nothing short of special. The three-match series, starting October 19, will see Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to action in Indian colors. Known for his remarkable record Down Under, Kohli’s return has sparked huge excitement among fans.
Harbhajan expressed full faith in Kohli’s ability to rise to big occasions. “He waits for those big opportunities, those high-pressure games, and that’s when he shows why he is a champion. When you perform against the best, that is when you earn respect, and he is earned that, especially after scoring those hundreds in Australia and taking on the responsibility of leading the team. Those are the challenges he looks forward to. Australia is his favourite hunting ground, and now he is making his comeback after the IPL. I am really looking forward to seeing him bat in those three ODIs, and hopefully, out of those three, he gets at least two centuries for India,” Harbhajan said on Cricket Live.
Veteran Duo Returns Ahead of 2027 World Cup
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI return comes after their retirement from T20Is and Test cricket. Their presence adds both strength and experience to the squad, especially with Shubman Gill taking over captaincy. Young talents like Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, and Tilak Varma have impressed recently, raising the competitive bar within the team.
For Kohli and Rohit, this tour also serves as an important step towards the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, as they will be nearing the twilight years of their careers by then.
Harbhajan Calls Kohli the “Fitness Guru”
Harbhajan praised Kohli’s exceptional fitness and commitment. “He is fit, probably fitter than many of those currently playing alongside him. In today’s international cricket, he is arguably the fittest player out there. Now, I am just looking forward to seeing Virat back in action. Fans have missed watching him, and personally, I would love to see him continue playing the One-Day International format for a while longer because he still has so much to offer. When he retired from Test cricket, I genuinely felt he still had four to five years left in him, not just to play, but to dominate, because that is the kind of batter he is,” he said.
The spinner expects Kohli to continue his love affair with Australian conditions. “We have seen him score tons of runs in those conditions before, and I believe he will do it again. The same goes for Rohit; I am looking forward to both these legends scoring heavily for India and helping the team win matches,” he added.
Kohli’s Record Down Under Speaks Volumes
Kohli has built an impressive ODI record in Australia over the years. He has scored 1,327 runs in 29 ODIs at an average of 51.03 and a strike rate above 89. He has registered five centuries and six fifties, with his best score being 133*.
His recent scores against Australia are 54, 56, 85, 54, and 84. His last five knocks in Australia read 104, 46, 21, 89, and 63. Overall, Kohli has amassed 14,181 runs in 302 ODIs at an average of 57.88, including 51 centuries and 74 fifties.
Fans Eager to See Kohli Shine Again
With Harbhajan Singh’s bold prediction and Kohli’s proven track record in Australia, fans are eager for a blockbuster return. The series beginning October 19 promises intense action, and all eyes will be on Kohli to produce another classic performance Down Under.
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