The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the international arena was supposed to be a joyous occasion for cricketing fans across the world. Instead, the first ODI against Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth delivered a brutal reality check, completely spoiling the script written for two of the game’s biggest names.

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With all eyes focused on the star duo, who are now one-format specialists, their joint comeback was cut shockingly short. The collective performance of Rohit, Kohli, and new ODI captain Shubman Gill was a nightmare for Indian fans, culminating in a combined tally of just 18 runs.

Rohit Sharma, in his landmark 500th international match, was the first big wicket to fall. He never truly looked settled on the pacy Perth track and was caught in the slips off Josh Hazlewood for a scratchy 8 runs. That early dismissal, full of the familiar discomfort of facing the new ball on a tough wicket, proved to be a low-key end to a much-hyped return.

Then came the real dagger. Virat Kohli walked into a tremendous roar at the Optus Stadium, but his stay at the crease lasted a mere eight balls before Mitchell Starc lured him into a drive outside off-stump. An edge flew to the point fielder, sending Kohli back for a duck. The sight of the King walking back so quickly felt like a collective loss, turning anticipation of the fans into a pit of disappointment.

To conclude the opening horror show, newly appointed skipper Shubman Gill was also dismissed cheaply for 10, leaving India reeling at 25/3. The aggregate of 18 runs between the three players, Rohit (8), Gill (10), and Kohli (0), now stands as the lowest combined score for the trio in any ODI they've played together. The previous unwanted record was 25 runs against Pakistan in Pallekele in 2023(Rohit 11, Gill 10, Kohli 4).

18 runs by India’s top three today is their lowest aggregate in an ODI since the 2019 CWC semifinal against NZ in Manchester, where they made three runs. That was a heartbreak as India went on to lose the match, but this one, coming on the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after 7 months on the International stage

The Optus pitch, known for its pace and bounce, proved a formidable challenge for the returning legends and the new skipper, spoiling what fans had hoped would be a glorious start to their latest chapter in India’s ODI setup.