Ind vs Aus ODI series: Will Virat Kohli be able to continue his top form?

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has backed India’s batting maestro Virat Kohli to lead the run-scoring charts in the upcoming ODI series against Australia. The series may mark Kohli’s final stint on Australian soil, a venue where he has consistently thrived with the bat. While India’s squad is packed with talent, including in-form captain Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, Clarke believes Kohli’s experience and his middle-order role make him the frontrunner to amass the most runs.

In a recent discussion, Clarke noted that both Kohli and Rohit are poised to make the series memorable with their returns. Although he expects both stars to score heavily, he singled out Kohli as his pick for top scorer, citing his likely position at number three. Clarke expressed confidence that Kohli would seize the opportunity, especially if this indeed turns out to be his final ODI series in Australia.

“(Leading run-scorer) In my view, it’s between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. I feel that if this is their last tour to Australia, they’ll aim to finish on a high. Batting at number three or four is probably a bit easier here than opening, since Rohit will be opening. So, I’m going with Virat Kohli as the leading run-scorer,” Clarke said.

Also Read: Will Virat Kohli play in 2027 World Cup?

Excitement is already building for the three-match ODI series, with the opener in Perth on October 19 completely sold out. Fans are eager to see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in action after a seven-month hiatus, and if this does turn out to be their final series in Australia, the anticipation is entirely justified.

Having retired from Tests and T20Is, both Rohit and Kohli are now focused exclusively on ODIs as they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Every match in the coming years is likely to be memorable, making their performances in this series particularly special for fans.