[WATCH] Rohit Sharma to retire in AUS vs IND 3rd ODI in Sydney? Veteran's chat with Gautam Gambhir leaked

Coming into the three-match ODI series against Australia down under, India’s opening batter, Rohit Sharma, whose ODI captaincy was taken away just before the series, the pressure was huge on the veteran, who was making a comeback into the competitive cricket since the end of the IPL 2025 while he would return into the 50-over format since March’s Champions Trophy 2025 final.

Rohit didn’t enjoy a great time in the opening clash of the series at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The right-handed batter, after one sweet drive for a boundary, got squared up for the outside edge into the hands of the slip region for eight runs. The pressure increased before the second fixture at the Adelaide Oval.

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In the second game, the Nagpur-born could have gone through a similar situation as he was asked some tough questions by Josh Hazlewood with the new ball. But Rohit was lucky not to get any outside edge or rapped before the stumps as the reviews also went in his favor.

Watch: Rohit Sharma’s chat with Gautam Gambhir leaked ahead of AUS vs IND Sydney ODI

Rohit cracked a fine knock of 73 runs in 97 deliveries at a strike rate of 75.26 with the help of seven boundaries and a couple of over boundaries. Once the experienced campaigner got his timing right in the middle after staying a long time in the middle, Rohit pulled two short balls from Mitchell Owen over the backward square leg boundary for two sixes in three balls.

“Rohit, Sabko lag rha tha ki aaj farewell match hai photo lagaa do (Rohit, everything is perhaps thinking of you taking retirement; you can post a farewell photo.” Gambhir was heard saying to Rohit while they were heading back to their hotel after the end of the Adelaide ODI, while the newly appointed captain, Shubman Gill, was also present there.

In the first innings, India posted 264/9 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to two half-centuries from Rohit and Shreyas Iyer, while Axar Patel also contributed a fine knock of 44 runs. In reply, the home side chased down the target by two wickets as Cooper Connolly remained unbeaten on 61 runs in 53 balls with the help of five fours and one six.