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STUMP VISION NOVEMBER 07, 2025 | The Indian Eye 44

From Ducks to Dominance:

Rohit and Kohli silenced

Cricket’s Midlife Crisis

Two matches of doubt, one night of brilliance and suddenly, the “end of an

era” headlines aged faster than a T20 over

almost seems unreal. Rohit’s story,
meanwhile, is one of transforma-
tion from early promise to all-time
greatness. With 11,370 runs, 33 cen-
turies, and three double hundreds
(including that unforgettable 264),
he’s carved his own legacy. Togeth-
er, they’ve added 5,483 runs as a
pair, the third-highest partnership
in ODI history. But more than num-
bers, their success comes from deep
understanding and trusting the kind
ARCHAN MEHTA
of connection you can’t teach, only
admire..
f cricket had a sense of humour, So where does the story go from
it was definitely chuckling Down
IUnder. The first two ODIs in here? By 2027, Rohit will be 40 and
Kohli 39. The question isn’t about
Australia were less “Men in Blue” their batting, it’s about continuity.
and more “Men in Review.” Ro- With both focusing primarily on
hit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India’s ODIs, rhythm becomes their great-
eternal headline-makers, looked like est rival. The experts’ advice - More
they’d spent their seven-month break domestic cricket, more match time.
practising patience instead of power. Maybe a Ranji cameo, maybe a Vi-
Perth and Adelaide served up rare jay Hazare tune-up. Physically, both
images of vulnerability from India’s look sharper than ever; mentally,
batting royals, prompting whispers of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli celebrate after winning the 3rd ODI match against Australia at they’ve seen too much to be rattled.
“Is this the end?” But as history often What they’re chasing now isn’t re-
reminds us legends don’t retire, they Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney (Reuters/ANI Photo) cords, it’s relevance. And if Sydney
reload. And by the time the Sydney is anything to go by, they’re far from
lights dimmed, the jungle knew its Kohli’s second consecutive duck, the assuring, ruthless. Kohli’s 74 not out done.
truth: the old kings still ruled. first of his ODI career, sent shock- was less an innings and more a state- In the end, this series wasn’t
The Perth opener felt more waves through the cricket world. ment: “Crisis? What crisis?” Their
like a batting hangover than a fresh Xavier Bartlett’s lbw struck more unbroken 168-run partnership wasn’t about India winning a match; it was
about two icons winning back belief.
start. Rohit scratched and scuffled than his pads; it struck at the heart about rescuing a series; it was about They stumbled, stood tall, and re-
to eight runs before Hazlewood of belief that Kohli could defy time. reclaiming an era. Rohit walked away minded a restless cricket world that
ended his misery. Kohli, meanwhile, Rohit, on the other hand, showed with Player of the Match and Player greatness doesn’t go out of form, it
produced an eight-ball duck, the grit over glamour, grinding his way of the Series, but the real victory was just takes a breather. As newer faces
kind that makes statisticians tri- to a hard-earned 73. It wasn’t pretty, collective two old warriors proving knock on the door, it’s worth remem-
ple-check their screens because it but it was a pure fight. Yet, as India they still write the soundtrack of In- bering that you can’t replace an era;
just doesn’t happen to him. It was a slipped 0–2 down, the murmurs be- dia’s white-ball story. you can only celebrate it while it’s
jolting reminder that even cricketing came headlines: Had the kings lost Together, Rohit Sharma and still alive. Because as one cheeky fan
gods can have mortal mornings. The their crown? Virat Kohli have scored over 26,000 tweeted after Sydney: “The kings ar-
narrative was set, the experts sharp- Enter Sydney, the great reset. runs in ODIs — a number so huge en’t finished, they just woke up from
ened their “decline” pieces, and the Under those iconic floodlights, Rohit it laughs at anyone suggesting it’s a very expensive nap.”
armchair selectors called for change and Kohli didn’t just find runs; they time to “move on.” Kohli has piled
faster than an Indian batting col- rediscovered rhythm, intent, and that up 14,255 runs at an average of 57.41,
lapse on a green top. unmistakable aura. Rohit’s unbeaten with 51 centuries, putting him just Archan Mehta is a writer dedicated to
Then came Adelaide and the 121 off 125 balls was a masterclass in behind Sachin Tendulkar. His record telling compelling stories about ath-
drama went from concern to crisis. timing and temperament, regal, re- while chasing targets is so good it letes, teams, and the world of cricket

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