Former Australia cricketer Michael Clarke believes that Virat Kohli will be the top-scorer of India's upcoming three-match ODI series against the Baggy Greens. The upcoming Australia tour can turn out to be both Rohit Sharma and Virat's last and they will be hoping to leave on a high. Though the Indian team includes many talented youngsters, all the spotlight is expected to be on the duo for the ODI series.
Clarke believes that Virat will go on to outscore Rohit in the series, highlighting how it is easier to bat at No.3 or 4 on Australia pitches in comparison to the opening spot.
"(Leading run-scorer) Well, in my opinion, it's one of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli. I've just got this thing, if it is their last trip to Australia, they'll want to leave on a high. I think batting at number three or four is probably a little bit easier in Australia than opening because Rohit will open, so I'm going to go with Virat Kohli, leading run-scorer," Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.
Rohit and Virat's international comeback
Both Rohit and Virat are set to make their much-awaited international comeback in the upcoming ODI series against Australia. The duo's last appearance for the Men in Blue came in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. They were expected to play a key role in the five-match Test series against England, but ended up announcing their retirements from the format in May with the assignment right around the corner. They will be hoping to make an instant impact with the bat as they take the field against Australia.
India's schedule against Australia
Meanwhile, the three-match ODI series between Australia and India will commence from October 19 at the Optus stadium in Perth. The action will then move to the Adelaide Oval where the second match will be held on October 23 and the series finale will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25. Following this, the two teams will lock horns in a five-match T20I series that will begin from October 29.
India's squad for Australia ODIs: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal.