Rohit Sharma marked his return to international cricket with an intense training session at Mumbai’s iconic Shivaji Park on Friday, drawing a massive crowd of enthusiastic fans eager to catch a glimpse of the Indian cricket legend in action.
The 38-year-old opener, set to feature in India’s upcoming ODI series against Australia starting October 19, looked in fine touch during the session – delighting onlookers with a flurry of trademark pull shots and clean hitting. For fans who had waited months to see Rohit back in the blue, the sight of him middling the ball brought both joy and renewed hope.
But it wasn’t just the sound of bat hitting the ball that echoed across the ground – passionate chants from the crowd made it clear that the fans were thinking beyond just the Australia series. In a video now doing the rounds on social media, voices from the stands can be heard urging Rohit to aim for the bigger picture.
“2027 ka World Cup tumhare bina nahi jeet paayenge, Rohit bhai!” (We won’t win the 2027 World Cup without you, Rohit bhai!) one fan shouted, capturing the sentiment of many who still see the veteran as integral to India’s long-term plans.
Fans shouting in front of Rohit Sharma during his practice session 🗣️- "2027 ka World Cup jeetna hai Rohit bhai, tumhare bina possible nahi hai! Australia me bhi aise hi maarna hai… dekho dekho, saamne Starc khada ha"😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/PBhPvnL2gW
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) October 11, 2025
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Another voice chimed in as Rohit executed a fierce pull shot:
“Australia mein bhi aise hi maarna hai… saamne Starc khada hai!” (You’ve got to hit like this in Australia too – imagine Starc bowling to you!)
A Complicated History with Australia
Australia remains a significant chapter in Rohit Sharma’s career – both for moments of heartbreak and triumph. It was against the Aussies that India fell short in the 2023 World Cup final under Rohit’s captaincy. But just months later, Rohit turned the tables with a blistering 92 off 41 balls against them in the 2024 T20 World Cup – a key innings that helped India go on to lift the trophy.
More recently, Rohit led India to the Champions Trophy 2025 title in March, adding another feather to his captaincy cap. However, in a somewhat controversial decision, the BCCI handed over the ODI leadership to Shubman Gill, sparking debates over Rohit’s role in India’s future 50-over plans.
Still Hungry, Still Fighting
With the 2027 ODI World Cup just under two years away, and with Rohit turning 40 by the time the tournament comes around, questions about his longevity have naturally surfaced. However, those close to him insist he’s not done yet.
Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar recently revealed that Rohit has made significant strides in fitness, having shed nearly 10 kilograms over the past few months – a clear indication that the veteran is still hungry for more.
His return against Australia, even if not as captain, could well be a crucial phase in his journey – one where he must balance experience with performance and let the bat do the talking.
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