Rohit Sharma will be seen in action in Australia ODIs along with Virat Kohli.
The duo last played for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which India won under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. However, they haven’t played any competitive cricket since IPL 2025, and the BCCI has decided to replace Rohit Sharma as captain with Shubman Gill.
Rohit, the former India captain, has worked tirelessly to prepare for the high-octane series, and there has recently been a lot of talk about the Hitman's makeover.
Rohit has lost many kilograms and is in excellent physical condition. Rohit was seen exercising with Abhishek Nayar in Mumbai before he arrived in Australia.
Ahead of the first ODI against Australia, Nayar explained why Rohit chose to undergo a metamorphosis at this point in his career, stating that the former India captain did not like the taunting he received after leaving the Mumbai airport.
It's important to note that when Rohit was photographed leaving the airport a while back, a number of people made remarks about how heavy the cricket player was and how he didn't seem to be in the best of physical condition.
"Initially, we sort of realized that there were 12 weeks before this Australia series. The thought process was to do something different. Since we had time on our hands, it was not about maintaining but about growth. Growth regarding his physical structure, growth regarding his movements. How he viewed himself, how he looked in the mirror, and being in a place where he felt fitter and felt like he could move faster and swiftly on the field, even with the bat," said Nayar on Star Sports.
"That was the thought process. 12 weeks were about making a difference when people viewed them. There was a lot of talk about him putting on weight and a few images of him coming out of the airport, so it was about changing all of that. In a lot of ways, to be healthier, faster, and fitter, and that's where the journey started," he added.
Additionally, Nayar said that even though Rohit may no longer be captain, he will continue to act in the team's best interests and take the appropriate actions.
"Whether he's captain or not, that will never change the way he plays for this team and for his teammates," said the former Team India assistant coach.
Here is the video: