THE REDEMPTION OF RO-KO

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney [October 25, 2025].

Last 2 years have been nothing short of a roller coaster for Indian cricket. After winning the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA, Indian coach Rahul Dravid stepped down from his position, whereas Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja also bid farewell to the shortest format of the game. However, the troika decided to continue playing in the remaining two formats.

In July 2024, Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the new head coach of Team India. Credit for the same goes to KKR for their IPL title win in May 2024. Fireworks were expected; after all, there have been instances of ego clashes between Gambhir and fellow cricketers of the squad.

The first 15 months under Gautam Gambhir had been truly a topsy-turvy ride. Indians lifted another ICC Trophy as they beat New Zealand in the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy, 2025. However, there were also moments of low as we suffered a first home test series defeat in 12 years. Moreover, it was not just a defeat; it was a drubbing, as we were whitewashed 3-0 by the Kiwis in our own backyard. Moreover, we also suffered a 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, which ended our hopes of playing in the WTC Finals at Lords.

However, the thing that shook the entire cricketing fraternity was the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket. Apart from them, even Pujara and Ashwin bid farewell to red-ball cricket. Hence, it can be said that Team India is moving into the transition stage now.

Interestingly, the young squad led by Shubhman Gill levelled a 5-match test series 2-2 in England and was also able to retain the Asia Cup Trophy. As a result, questions are being asked now about whether Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli will continue to play ODI Cricket or whether we have seen the end of them. Moreover, will the iconic Ro-Ko make it to the 2027 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in South Africa?

The debate got even more heated when Shubman Gill replaced Rohit Sharma as the ODI captain. There were rumors that the tour Down Under could be their last. To make matters worse, Rohit scored just 8 runs in the first ODI at Perth, whereas Kohli was caught on 0.

In the second ODI, Rohit scored a gritty 73, which did give hope to his fans. But it was not the style for which Rohit Sharma is known. It was evident that Rohit was fighting hard to maintain his position in the team. However, things didn't go as planned for Kohli, who was dismissed for another duck. It seemed that the duo were no longer their older versions who dominated bowlers for fun.

It was a do-or-die game for Rohit and Kohli in Sydney, and boy, the way they performed was truly unbelievable. Rohit Sharma scored a magnificent 121* off 125 deliveries as Indians chased down 237 in just 38.3 overs. Apart from Rohit, Kohli too scored an incredible 74*, as the Indians won the 3rd ODI by 9 wickets and were thus successful in avoiding a whitewash.

However, something that truly impressed everyone was the style with which the duo played. It was an instance of classic ODI batsmanship. Not only did they hit bad balls for boundaries, but they were also rotating strikes so easily, which never let the required run rate go up. It was vintage Ro-Ko Partnership. Something that we first saw in Jaipur in 2013.

Even though it was the Aussie who won the ODI Series 2-1, it's the Indians who are happier than the Kangaroos. After all, Kohli got his mojo back, whereas Rohit Sharma was awarded both player of the match and player of the series. Interestingly, SCG saw the end of Virat Kohli in Test Cricket, and it was SCG wherein Rohit Sharma decided to sit out of the Indian test squad. However, a year later SCG saw their rise. Moreover, the dream and hope of seeing Ro-Ko play in the 2027 World Cup is very much alive.

Lastly, in SCG we saw Virat and Rohit for one last time play on the Australian soil, as it is almost certain that we will not see them play again in Australia. Thus, it has been truly a perfect farewell from Down Under.

To watch the Innings of Rohit Sharma, Click Here.

To watch the Innings of Virat Kohli, Click Here.