After being appointed Team India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir and seasoned opener Rohit Sharma were seen deep in conversation just before the start of the first ODI against Australia, which was a significant event in the amount of time spent with India’s tour preparations. The clash will witness Rohit’s comeback to the international captaincy after the 2025 Champions Trophy and also after Shubman Gill replaced him as India’s ODI skipper.

From Delhi, Rohit was part of the first cohort of Indian players who flew to Australia after India's Test series triumph over the West Indies. He has not played any competitive cricket since the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 for Mumbai Indians against Punjab Kings and the experienced batsman thus spent more time in nets and fitness sessions to get ready for the upcoming battle with the Yellow team.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli reunite in nets as Gautam Gambhir backs duo for successful comeback

Before his comeback to the international scene, Rohit Sharma invested a lot of time working with Abhishek Nayar in Mumbai, primarily on getting back his rhythm and timing. After the team landed in Australia, India had their first practice session on October 16, where Gambhir and Rohit were spotted having a serious conversation by the nets. The 37-year-old batsman was then seen batting together with Virat Kohli, with both old guns getting ready for their first international match after more than seven months.

Speaking about the veteran duo, Gambhir emphasised the importance of their experience and composure in Australia. “The 50-over World Cup is still two-and-a-half years away, and it’s crucial to stay in the present. They are quality players, and their experience will be invaluable in Australia. Hopefully, those two guys will have a successful tour—and more importantly, as a team, we’ll have a successful series,” Gambhir said after India’s seven-wicket win over West Indies in the second Test.

Team India’s tour of Australia will feature three ODIs and five T20Is, serving as a key test ahead of a packed home season leading into the 2026 T20 World Cup.