Former Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has backed the veteran duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to bounce back stronger in the second ODI against Australia. India suffered a seven-wicket loss (DLS method) after they managed 136-9 in 26 overs.

While Rohit was dismissed after scoring only eight runs, Kohli was sent back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Kohli and Rohit had last played International cricket in the Champions Trophy and their last professional assignment was IPL 2025. 

Rohit and Kohli have all the experience under their belt and Kotak said the veteran pair has been looking in good touch while batting in the practice sessions.

Sitanshu Kotak said in the pre-match press conference, “We are very much aware of their preparations, fitness status and the videos on what they are doing regarding practice. But not always, you’ll have to find the time on when to intervene. With such senior players, you don’t want to intervene if it’s not required. When they are doing things right, it may not be right for you to get involved.”

“They played in the IPL so their preparation has been very good. They are both very experienced. So it’s too early to even think about them playing only one format. They’ve just retired from Tests and still play the IPL. They both look in very good touch. They really batted well in the nets yesterday.”

Kotak believes they could not get the batting momentum on their side in the opening game of the series due to continuous rain breaks.

“I think it was more weather to be honest in the last game. Obviously we lost a couple of wickets before that. But for anybody batting first with the weather, it was going to be tough. It would have been the same if Australia had batted as well. When you don’t know how many overs you’re going to bat, it’s not easy to plan. There were four to five breaks. We were going in and coming out every two overs. But we definitely need two or three good partnerships to get 250+,” said Kotak on India’s woeful batting in the Perth ODI (via the aforementioned source).

The second ODI between India and Australia will be played at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.