India’s Batting Coach Confident of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Form Ahead of 2nd ODI Against Australia

India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak is confident that star batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will bounce back strongly in the 2nd ODI 2025 against Australia at Adelaide Oval on Thursday. The must-win match is crucial as India aims to keep the three-match series alive after a rain-affected defeat in Perth.

The first ODI marked the high-profile return of Rohit and Kohli to international cricket following their retirement from Test matches earlier in 2025. However, their comeback was underwhelming, with Rohit scoring 8 runs off 14 balls and Kohli dismissed for a duck. Persistent rain disrupted India’s innings, culminating in a seven-wicket loss.

Kotak dismissed concerns about their form or rustiness, highlighting their strong preparation during the IPL and diligent training sessions in Australia. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and team management have closely monitored the duo’s fitness and performances via the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Reflecting on the first match, Kotak cited challenging rain-affected conditions that limited planning and momentum. As India gears up for the second ODI, the focus is on strategic adjustments and capitalizing on batting and bowling strengths.

India will look to the experienced pair to set the tone at Adelaide Oval, where conditions are expected to favor batting, making this a pivotal encounter in the series.