India's Test and ODI skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had a tough time on the tour of Australia. While Kohli struggled after century in Perth Test, Rohit looked out of place. They were underwhelming on their respective Ranji Trophy returns as well. Now, the senior duo are gearing up for the ODI series against England leading up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Kohli and Rohit showed that ODI cricket is a different ball-game altogether and played attacking shots in the open nets ahead of the ODI series opener at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur.
Kohli and Rohit batted on the Centre 1 wicket to prepare against fast bowlers. They were cautious at start and then began playing their shots. Kohli often stayed on the back foot and used the pace to guide it towards off side. Rohit practiced a few attacking shots. He pulled, reverse-swept and played the ramp shot. There were match simulations as well. Against spinners, both batters danced down the wicket and played aerial shots over long-on.
How Ro-Ko fared in previous ODI series
Since the ODI World Cup 2023 final, Rohit and Kohli have played just one ODI series on Sri Lanka tour. Rohit was aggressive at top whereas Kohli struggled against spinners. The opener scored 157 runs from three innings including two half-centuries. Kohli got starts but could not convert them into big scores. He scored 58 runs from three innings.
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Ro-Ko's record against England in ODIs
Rohit has played 20 ODIs against England. The 37-year-old has scored 725 runs at an average of 48.26 including two centuries and four fifties. On the other hand, Kohli has 1,340 runs from 36 ODIs at an average of 41.87. He has three centuries and nine half-centuries against England in the format.
Ro-Ko nearing ODI milestones
Meanwhile, Kohli is on the cusp of breaking another record. The 36-year-old needs 94 more runs to complete 14,000 ODI runs. He also has a chance to break legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record for fastest to 14,000 ODI runs. Currently, Kohli is the third-highest run-scorer in ODIs.
Rohit is nearing a milestone as well. He needs 24 more runs to surpass former head coach Rahul Dravid's tally of runs. Also, he needs 134 runs to become fourth Indian batter to score 11,000 ODI runs.