AUS vs IND 2025: R Ashwin urges Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to focus more on preparation after Perth ODI defeat

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. (Source:Gettyimages)

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin believes that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma need to be better prepared before taking on challenging assignments at this stage of their careers. The veteran duo struggled on their international comeback during the first ODI against Australia at Optus Stadium, Perth, on October 19.

Ashwin suggested that if Kohli and Rohit aim to continue until the 2027 ODI World Cup, they must pay greater attention to preparation before bilateral series. He also proposed that the pair, along with other players not currently involved in international cricket, could arrive early to tours to acclimatise and prepare. In their first outing since IPL 2025, Rohit scored 8 runs while Kohli was dismissed for a duck.

"For their good, I think they can focus a bit more on preparation, especially in terms of playing games before going on tours, but that is not entirely in the hands of players, it needs to be planned by the team management. This is too early to talk about Virat and Rohit, because there are a few more games. My only worry for them is can they get more game time?" Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

"It is not going to be easy for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. I really hope they get some kind of flow, because they have not played any cricket recently. If you are going on an international tour, planning is necessary. We have often travelled overseas 10-15 days before the series begins, travelled in 2-3 batches, so that definitely can be done," he added.

The right-arm spinner applauded the efforts of both veterans in maintaining their fitness, but emphasised that reflexes and hand-eye coordination can only improve with regular game time. Kohli and Rohit are expected to return to action in the second ODI of the series, scheduled at Adelaide Oval on Thursday, October 23.

"I saw Virat's interview where he spoke about maintaining fitness, and yes, that is a very important facet. But hand-eye coordination, which is so important for batting, you cannot ignore that. Knowing Virat, he must have worked on that, but you have to be at the top of your game, especially when you are getting older, especially when you are playing only one format. It was lovely to see Rohit looking really, really fit," Ashwin concluded.