Australia’s stand-in captain and star all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has made some hilarious remarks about returning pair Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ahead of the three-match ODI series starting at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Sunday, October 19.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will make a comeback in Indian colors in the ODI series to be held in Australia. The former Indian captain was last seen in action during the Men in Blue’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 championship match in the UAE earlier this year.
Mitchell Marsh shares his entertaining thoughts on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s return to India
Amid speculation over the ODI future of the Indian batting icons, manager Mitchell Marsh praised Rohit and Kohli, saying it was an honor to play against them and calling them legends of the game. Marsh even called Kohli the best chaser of all time.
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The upcoming ODI series carries special weight as it could be the last time fans see both Kohli and Rohit playing on Australian soil. The first match in Perth is already a packed house and the star all-rounder is hoping Virat and Rohit will just come and show their beast mode with the bat.
Remarkably, over 175,000 tickets were sold out for the three matches, highlighting the excitement over Kohli and Rohit’s return to action. Both players impressed with their energy, timing and preparation during training at Optus Stadium, giving fans hope for a thrilling performance.
I had the privilege of playing against them: Mitchell Marsh.
“I’ve had the privilege of playing against them many times along the way. They are clearly legends of the game. Virat is the greatest chaser of all time, especially in this white-ball format,” Mitchell Marsh said at the pre-match press conference.
He added: “I think you can see why ticket sales are so high and why so many people are coming to watch it. And if it’s their last game on Australian soil, I hope they enjoy it. I hope people get to see not just their great cricket, but two great cricketers playing for Australia.”
Mitchell Marsh reveals Australia’s strategy for Perth ODI
Meanwhile, Marsh shared his thoughts on the pitch and team strategy ahead of the first ODI in Perth. This pitch is traditionally known for helping the bowler early on and giving the pacer a chance to make an impact, but if the batsmen start cautiously, the match can become a high-scoring affair.
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Despite the bowler-friendly conditions, the Australian team is not going to go with four pacers. Marsh hinted that there could be one or two debutants from the hosts’ camp in the first ODI, but the final line-up will only be revealed after the toss.
The regular T20I captain also admitted that all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will bat at number three, although he has started in recent domestic matches. The captain stressed that the differences between the No. 3 opener and the batsmen are minimal and expects all the players to get used to their roles and perform effectively against India.