India’s much-awaited ODI series against Australia turned out to be a disappointment. Fans who were eagerly waiting to see the comeback of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli didn’t expect such a sort of result in the first place.
After months of anticipation, the excitement around the series fizzled out with two straight defeats. The 3-match contest has already slipped out of India’s hands, and the final game in Sydney is now just about pride.
The first two matches exposed India’s inconsistency in key areas like fielding, execution under pressure, and the lack of finishing with both bat and ball. Shubman Gill-led India lost the second ODI by 2 wickets after a 7-wicket thrashing in the opener at Perth. Those dropped catches in the second match turned out to be costly, and as Gill admitted, they made the difference. “We had just enough runs on the board. Never easy when you drop a couple of chances to be able to defend that kind of a total,” Gill said after the match.
In high-pressure games like these, small lapses often decide the result. Fielding has been a long-standing concern for India, and it once again came back to haunt them. Matthew Short, who scored a crucial 74 off 78 balls, was one of the beneficiaries of India’s sloppy efforts. It’s not just about technique; it’s about focus, body language, and hunger. And in this series, the Australians looked hungrier.
Gill also admitted that conditions played a role. “In the first game, the toss was more crucial because of the rain, but in this one, both teams played for almost 50 overs. The wicket did a little early on, but it settled nicely after 15–20 overs,” he explained. But cricket isn’t just about conditions; it’s about seizing moments. And that’s where India faltered.
Ravi Ashwin drops a cryptic post after India lose Kohli-Rohit comeback series to Australia
All eyes were, of course, on the two returning stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their comeback was one of the most discussed storylines in Indian cricket. Rohit, after missing several months of action, showed signs of rhythm in Adelaide with a gritty 73 off 93 balls. It wasn’t vintage Rohit, but it was reassuring to see him occupy the crease and build an innings. Kohli, however, is yet to find his footing, failing to score in the first two games.
What made headlines beyond the loss, however, was Ravi Ashwin’s cryptic post on social media. The veteran spinner, who wasn’t part of the series, shared a short message: “Just leave it.” The post instantly went viral, with fans and media trying to decode its meaning. Was it directed at the critics? The selectors? Or perhaps a message to the players to stay calm and ignore outside noise? Nobody knows for sure, but coming from someone as articulate and thoughtful as Ashwin, it surely wasn’t random.
READ MORE: Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play in the 2027 World Cup? Chief selector Ajit Agarkar responds
Ashwin’s post reflects something deeper about Indian cricket at the moment—a mix of frustration, introspection, and exhaustion. The national team is under constant scrutiny, and every game becomes a trial for someone. The moment results don’t go India’s way, conversations turn toxic. Maybe Ashwin’s “Just leave it” was a reminder that sometimes, it’s best to step back and breathe.
Before the series, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had already cautioned against judging Rohit and Kohli too harshly. He said during the NDTV World Summit, “It will be silly to put them on trial for every game. Once they start playing, they will be assessed, but they are not on trial.” Agarkar’s words carry wisdom. Senior players deserve the space to rediscover form and rhythm without being dissected after every failure.
He added further, “It doesn’t mean if they don’t get runs in Australia, they would be dropped, and similarly, if they score three tons in Australia, they would be selected for the 2027 World Cup.” That’s the balanced perspective Indian cricket desperately needs less knee-jerk reaction, more patience and planning.
The ODI losses might sting, but they also serve as a reminder that transitions take time. The third and final ODI will kick off on October 25, Saturday, at the SCG.
