Shastri weighs on return of Rohit, Kohli for Australia ODIs 

As India gear up for a much-awaited three-match ODI series Down Under, the spotlight is turned on their experienced campaigners Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Set to make their return to international cricket for the first time since India’s ICC Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year, former India coach Ravi Shastri believes the duo will have ample motivation to set the stage blazing.

“I mean, this is a good side, a very good side. India are a far better white ball side than Test match side,” Shastri told Fox Sports.

“And especially (with) the young guns, the Australian crowds, they (will) love seeing some of the young guns. A lot of the young players who are in the side, they will entertain.

“Plus, the old dogs are here. Rohit Sharma is here. Virat Kohli too. They know that these youngsters are pushing so you might just see the best out of them.”

The series will mark the first time both Kohli and Sharma feature for India since their retirement from Test cricket earlier this summer.

Shastri believes the pair will be keen to make a mark with the bat in the countdown to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

“(Kohli is) a master chaser, and Rohit is explosive at the top. They feel they’ve got enough cricket in them,” he said.

“It depends how hungry you are, how fit you are, whether that passion for the game is still there. With their experience, it’ll come in very handy.

“I would say take it one series at a time. It’s still a long way to go.”

With the two stalwarts having hung their boots in the longest format, the former India head coach conceded that the form with the bat will is likely to govern their future in the ODI format.

“Hopefully, if they have a good one here, that should keep them in a good state of mind, thinking of South Africa.”

“If they’re not enjoying it, if the form is not good, they might pull the plug themselves,” he added.

The three-match face off will also see the first of Shubman Gill as India’s ODI skipper, having succeeded Rohit Sharma at the helm for the tour.

When asked of the importance India’s previous two ODI captains hold in the dressing room, Gill had echoed Shastri’s sentiments a few days ago.

"The experience the two of them have (is immense), and there are very few players who can match the number of matches they have won for India,” Gill had said.

"There are very few players in the world with such skill and quality along with that experience, and we look at it from that perspective."

Meanwhile, a major name missing from India’s ODI squad is that of veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who starred with both bat and ball during the recently concluded home Test series against the West Indies.

Explaining the reason behind Jadeja’s exclusion for the Australia squad, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar had said, "At the moment to take two left-arm spinners to Australia is not possible,”

"He is clearly in the scheme of things with how good he is, but there will be some competition for places."

Looking ahead to the next Cricket World Cup in 2027, Shastri believes Jadeja will be a handy customer for India.

“He’s fit as a fiddle. He’s still one of the best fielders in the world,” Shastri said of Jadeja.

“When it comes to a World Cup, you’re not playing just one team. You’re playing a lot of other teams.

“The conditions are different in South Africa. There’ll be pitches there where the spinners will get help, so don’t put him out of the equation.

“I’m sure the management would have spoken to him (about) why they have not picked him (for Australia). And Jadeja himself said in an interview he would have loved to have gone there.

“The communication has also been that you’re not out of it. You’re in the mix.”

India will kickstart their tour of Australia with the first ODI on 19 October in Perth.