Veteran Indian spinner R. Ashwin offered glowing, in-depth praise for the nation’s premier batting icons, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, following their commanding performance in a recent One Day International (ODI) against Australia in Sydney. This match saw the legendary duo forge their first international century partnership since 2020, a powerful reminder of their enduring class and colossal significance to Indian cricket.
Ashwin praise Rohit Kohli on his personal YouTube channel focused particularly on the visible transformation of the Indian captain. Rohit Sharma, who smashed his 33rd ODI century and 50th international hundred in the fixture, earned a new phase label from Ashwin: “Rohit Sharma 3.0,” suggesting a distinct, evolved stage in his already illustrious career.
The ‘Million Dollar’ Rohit Sharma 3.0
Ashwin pointed directly to Rohit’s visibly improved fitness, noting that the batsman looks “proper fit and lean.” This physical conditioning, Ashwin suggested, has allowed the natural “quality of batting” to flourish unimpeded. The sentiment was clear: when a player feels light and fit, their inherent skill naturally takes precedence.
In this new avatar, Rohit is “looking a million dollars” and appears “all set and poised” for a dominant run of form. This observation strongly counters any criticism directed at the prolific batsman, as Ashwin confidently asserted his unwavering belief in Rohit’s ability, calling him one of the “best white-ball batters over the decade or so.”
Ashwin structured Rohit’s nearly two-decade-long journey into three distinct phases: the initial, raw talent phase; the transformative second phase starting in 2013 when he began opening the innings; and now, the Rohit Sharma 3.0 phase. The current regime is characterized by a renewed commitment to Rohit Sharma fitness and a style of cricket reminiscent of his dominating 2013-2016 period. He is exhibiting excellent movement and lightness on his feet—an excellent sign for both the player and the national team—with Ashwin predicting that this rejuvenated approach will allow him to “continue churning these runs.”
Virat Kohli Resilience: Finding a Way to Score
Moving to Virat Kohli, who crafted an unbeaten 74, burying the disappointment of two previous consecutive ducks, Ashwin’s analysis centered on the mental aspect of his game. Kohli’s knock propelled him to second on the all-time ODI run-scoring charts, surpassed only by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
Though Ashwin admitted that Kohli “was not at his best” or looking in peak form, he praised the soon-to-be 37-year-old for his exceptional ability to “still find a way” to accumulate crucial runs for the team. This Virat Kohli resilience, the knack for grinding out a score when the fluent rhythm is absent, is a hallmark of truly great batsmen and underscores his mental fortitude.
Ashwin also observed that Kohli seemed to be genuinely “enjoying himself” out in the middle. This demeanor, he speculated, stemmed from an acknowledgment that every moment he spends playing now is a “real gift,” encouraging him to savor this later stage of his phenomenal career. The collective praise highlights a strong sense of mutual respect within the Indian dressing room.
This Sydney partnership in the India vs Australia ODI, following a period of relative drought in terms of centuries together, reaffirmed that despite individual career evolutions and the pressures of aging, the legendary partnership of Rohit and Kohli remains one of the most formidable and crucial pillars of the Indian limited-overs setup. Their ability to deliver centuries and match-winning knocks, even late in their careers, ensures the team retains a powerful, experienced core.
