Rohit Sharma recreates Ashwin-Kohli retirement talks with Shubman Gill; Is the former Captain willing to call it quits?

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the two Indian veterans, returned to take the field for India after a long gap in the 50-over format, but failed to be promising in the first match against Australia. With Kohli missing from the dugout, Rohit has been seen busy alongside new skipper Shubman Gill in the dressing room. 

Champions Trophy winners India are clashing against the current World Cup defending champions, Australia, in a three-match ODI series hosted by the Aussies, with the first match scheduled at Perth.

With rain being the constant factor of concern in Perth, the focus has been on the ongoing drama in the Indian dressing room. Rohit Sharma has been seen as a much busier character upon returning to the Indian setup, while Kohli has still maintained a low profile. 

International comeback short-lived: ODI return ends in disappointment for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli 

As India came into bat first in the First ODI at Perth, former skipper Rohit Sharma walked out to open the innings alongside newly appointed Indian captain Shubman Gill. Much was anticipated from Rohit on his return, since they expect the player to hold onto good form to retain his chances in the 2027 World Cup. 

However, Rohit looked to counterattack in the starting moments of the game after he was troubled by Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, who targeted sharp bouncers at Sharma, despite knowing his finesse at pulling the ball to the square of the wicket. However, Rohit failed to connect on all of the occasions and was then taken by immediate surprise by one of the sudden bumpers from Hazlewood outside off, which took an edge off his bat and went flying off to the second slip fielder. 

Virat Kohli's international comeback was also short-lived after the immense anticipation around the batter's ODI career. He was dismissed for a duck and, since then, has not been seen any further in the Indian dugout, unlike Rohit Sharma. 

Rohit Sharma recreates the famous Kohli-Ashwin BGT retirement talks moment with Shubman Gill 

During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in December 2024, Ravichandran Ashwin called out his retirement during the middle of the series. The veteran spinner was seen chatting with Indian great Virat Kohli, as Kohli hugged him, after which Ashwin made his announcement. 

The same country, the same opposition, but a different format and two different men, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, engage in a long chat in the dressing room after his early dismissal in the game. Rohit has been busy going around explaining a lot of things to coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill during the rain breaks in the game. 

Is the former skipper looking to call it quits to his stay with the Indian ODI side as well? Will Rohit consider retiring, keeping aside the World Cup hopes, for the betterment of the team? 

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