Rohit Sharma signals ODI comeback against Australia with intense training

Published - 10 Sept 2025, 20:18 IST | Updated - 10 Sept 2025, 20:28 IST

Indian ODI captain Rohit Sharma looks set to make a strong return to international cricket, with fresh preparation photos surfacing on his official Instagram handle. The star batter, who has not played for India since the Champions Trophy 2025, has already retired from T20Is and Test cricket, sparking rumours that he might also call time on his ODI career.

Rohit is seen padding up in the first picture, seemingly at the Mumbai Indians’ training facility with the franchise’s logo visible in the background. The second image shows him sprinting, indicating that he is working on his fitness and gearing up for India’s upcoming ODI assignment.

There is a strong chance that Rohit will lead India in the three-match ODI series against Australia in October. His ODI form over the past few years has been remarkable, and his shift towards a more aggressive style of batting has benefitted the team immensely.

Under his leadership, India dominated the 2023 World Cup, finishing as runners-up, before clinching the T20 World Cup 2024. Most recently, Rohit captained the side to victory in the Champions Trophy 2025, further solidifying his legacy as one of India’s most successful captains.

While there are speculations that he will continue until the 2027 ODI World Cup, where his experience and leadership could be vital, reports also suggest that the upcoming Australia could be his last. However, Rohit has made significant strides in fitness, having lost nearly eight kilograms of weight and recording an impressive 19.4 score in the Yo-Yo Test, which hints towards his desire to stay part of India's ODI plans.

Rohit’s most recent competitive appearance came in the IPL 2025 with Mumbai Indians, where he amassed 418 runs at a strike rate close to 150, reaffirming his batting prowess in limited-overs cricket. All indications point towards Rohit staying committed to ODIs, with his eyes firmly set on guiding India through another successful World Cup.