The India-Australia ODI series kicks off on October 19, 2025, in Perth, and it might be the last chance for fans to see batting icons Virat Kohli, 36, and Rohit Sharma, 38, in international action.
With nearly 600 ODIs between them, the duo has focused solely on the 50-over format since their last appearance in India’s Champions Trophy victory over New Zealand in March 2025. Head coach Gautam Gambhir stayed silent on their future, as young captain Shubman Gill leads the ODI squad for the first time in Australia.
The three-match series spans Perth (October 19), Adelaide (October 23), and Sydney (October 25), drawing large crowds from Australia’s vibrant Indian diaspora. India’s squad blends veterans like Kohli, Rohit, and KL Rahul with rising stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Brace yourselves…they’re 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙄𝙣 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚𝙨 🔥
Rohit Sharma 🤝 Virat Kohli
🎥 Watch on loop as the duo gears up for #AUSvIND 💪 #TeamIndia | @ImRo45 | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/u99yHyFfwJ
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 17, 2025Australia, led by Mitchell Marsh, features Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, who are warming up for the Ashes. Starc returns for his first international game of the Australasian summer after retiring from T20Is.
Marnus Labuschagne, a late replacement for injured all-rounder Cameron Green (side soreness), aims to translate his Sheffield Shield centuries into ODI runs to bolster his Ashes case. Regular captain Pat Cummins is sidelined with a back injury, while Josh Philippe replaces wicketkeeper Alex Carey, and Matt Kuhnemann fills in for spinner Adam Zampa in Perth.
The ODIs set the stage for a five-match T20I series starting October 29 in Canberra, a crucial tune-up for the 2026 T20I World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Both teams are testing strategies and players, with India’s Suryakumar Yadav resuming T20I captaincy.
This series could mark the end of an era for Kohli and Rohit, intensifying the historic India-Australia rivalry. It tests Gill’s leadership and Australia’s depth amid injuries.
