While headlines were filled with squad changes and new leadership appointments, Rohit Sharma was quietly busy at work.
He was training harder than ever for India’s upcoming ODI series against Australia. With Shubman Gill now taking charge as captain, the former skipper has shifted focus entirely to what lies ahead in his own game.
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Starting September 16, Rohit spent almost a week at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, going through a detailed training plan made especially for the Australian challenge.
How did Rohit Sharma prepare for the Australia ODI series?
Rohit’s sessions were nothing like a routine practice. He specifically asked for tall fast bowlers to simulate Australian conditions and faced them for two hours straight every day, according to Revsportz.
Some days, he even extended his sessions beyond schedule, asking coaches for extra time at the nets.
Alongside batting, he worked on his fitness with lighter gym sessions focused on agility and balance.
The training setup also included ten bowlers and multiple throwdown specialists, creating a match-like atmosphere to fine-tune his reflexes and timing.
Those who saw him train said he was “fully switched on,” treating each drill like a real game.
What does Rohit Sharma’s ODI focus look like now?
With ODIs now the only format he represents India in, Rohit knows this season will be crucial.
He’s expected to play nine games, three each against Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, to prove his form and fitness before the next selection cycle.
Statistically, Rohit remains one of India’s greatest ODI players. In 273 matches, he has piled up 11,168 runs at an average of nearly 49, with 32 centuries to his name.
His record in Australia stands out too, with 1,328 runs in 30 games, including five tons and a best of 171*.
Having retired from Tests earlier this year and stepped away from T20Is, the 38-year-old now sees ODIs as his final chapter in international cricket.
But going by the intensity of his training in Bengaluru, that chapter still has some powerful pages left to be written.
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