“Last Chance To See Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli”: Pat Cummins On Upcoming ODI Tour

Pat Cummins felt the upcoming ODI series might be the final time Australian fans see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play in their country.

Australia’s Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins believes the upcoming three-match ODI series against India could be the last opportunity for Australian fans to see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in action on home soil. With Shubman Gill appointed as India’s new ODI captain, the team management has started building a young core for the 2027 World Cup, leaving questions over the ODI futures of Rohit and Kohli, who have already retired from Tests and T20Is.

Both veterans have been away from competitive cricket since the end of IPL 2025. The ODI series in Australia will mark their return to the field after several months.

“Virat and Rohit have been part of almost every Indian side for the last 15 years, so this might be the last chance for the Australian public to see them playing out here. They’ve obviously been champions of the game for India and are always very well supported. Whenever we play them, the crowd gets loud,” Cummins told JioHotstar.

Cummins, however, will miss the white-ball series against India, which also includes five T20Is, due to injury. “It’s a shame to miss the white-ball series against India. I think the crowds are going to be huge. There’s already a lot of excitement built up here in Australia. So, whenever you miss a game, it’s disappointing. But missing a big series like this is always a bit harder to take,” Cummins said.

In Cummins’ absence, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh will lead Australia in the ODIs. The captain emphasised the importance of giving young players more exposure before the next World Cup.

“It’s three matches you want to win, but it’s also about giving exposure to the younger guys coming through, particularly those who weren’t part of the last World Cup. The goal is to try and play them, see what they can do, and make sure that once we get close to the World Cup, we know what our 15-man squad is going to be and that we’re well placed,” Cummins said.

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Cummins also revealed that he had known for some time about fellow pacer Mitchell Starc’s plans to retire from T20Is and focus on Test cricket.

“I knew it was on Starkey’s mind for a little while, retiring from T20Is. Playing all three formats is tough. He’s a couple of years older than me and has played 100 Test matches as well, quite a few more than I have,” he said.

“He wants to prioritise Test cricket. He’s had a fantastic T20I career, and there are plenty of other guys who, while they may not do exactly what Starkey did, can step in and fill his shoes,” he added.

Last Updated on October 15, 2025