Australia captain Mitchell Marsh has wasted no time in engaging in some subtle mind games ahead of the upcoming white-ball series against India. Right before the series kicks off he took a sly dig at Indian batting duo Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Marsh doesn't want Kohli, Rohit to perform well in Australia ODIs
Marsh is heading into the upcoming three-match ODI series against India with a blend of anticipation and apprehension. While he is naturally excited for the clash between the two cricketing powerhouses, he also admitted to hoping that India's superstar batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, don't perform too well.
This particular series carries extra significance for both players and fans, as it might be the last time that Kohli and Rohit will play an ODI series on Australian soil. Marsh acknowledged this during the pre-match press conference, reflecting on his career experiences playing against the two stalwarts. He highlighted that the series offers a unique chance for fans to watch two of the greatest cricketers in the format live.
“I had the privilege of playing against them quite a lot over the journey. They are obviously legends of the game. Virat, especially in this white-ball format, is the greatest chaser ever. I think you can see why the ticket sales are so high and why a lot of people are coming to watch them. And if it is their last time on Australian soil, I hope they enjoy it and I hope people can witness, not too much great cricket from them, but witness two of the greats playing in Australia,” Marsh said in the pre-match press conference.
The immense fan interest in this clash is highlighted by the strong ticket sales, with Cricket Australia confirming that nearly 1,75,000 tickets have been snapped up for the three-match ODI series. This anticipation underscores the rare opportunity for Australian crowds to see Virat and Rohit in the 50-over format, especially as the opener in Perth is already a sell-out. The star duo appears ready for their return, having been seen having productive practice sessions in the lead-up to the series.
Stepping up to lead the host nation in the absence of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh will be tasked with containing the Indian greats. The series takes on added importance given that both Kohli and Sharma have stepped away from Tests and T20Is, choosing to focus solely on ODIs with the goal of competing in the 2027 ODI World Cup.