Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Set to Dazzle in Guwahati ODI Showdown
Cricket Legends Unite in Guwahati
Guwahati (Assam) [India], September 30: Cricket enthusiasts around the world are in for a treat as two of the game's most celebrated players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, prepare to showcase their skills during the second ODI against the West Indies on Wednesday.
As the countdown to the 2027 Cricket World Cup continues, this match offers both legends a chance to shine one last time in various locations, with the 'Ro-Ko' duo making a stop at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, a venue where they have both excelled.
Guwahati has been a fruitful ground for Rohit, who has amassed 235 runs in just two innings here, boasting an impressive average of 235.00 and a strike rate of 127.71, including a century and a fifty. His highest score of 152 not out against the West Indies in 2018 remains a highlight.
Currently, Rohit is on the verge of a significant milestone, needing just 73 runs to become the third Indian to reach 12,000 runs in ODIs. With a total of 11,927 runs from 289 ODIs and 281 innings, he maintains an average of 48.88, complemented by 34 centuries and 62 fifties, with a personal best of 264.
This year, Rohit has had a mixed performance in 10 ODIs, scoring 411 runs at an average of 41.10 and a strike rate of 98.56, including a memorable 138 at Lord's. After a modest 32 runs in the last match, he aims to build on his promising starts.
In contrast, Virat Kohli's record in Assam is even more remarkable, having scored three consecutive centuries across two venues: Nehru Stadium and Barsapara Stadium. His first century in Assam was a 110 against New Zealand in November 2010, before he became the superstar he is today.
Returning to Assam in 2018, Virat was in the midst of a stellar phase in ODIs, averaging 133.55 that year. One of his six ODI centuries included a blistering 140 not out against the West Indies during a successful chase of 323 runs.
His last appearance in Guwahati was in January 2023, where he scored 113 runs off 87 balls against Sri Lanka, marking a strong start to the year after a dip in form in 2021-22.
In total, Virat has played three ODIs in Assam, scoring centuries in each match, totaling 358 runs at an average of 119.33 and a strike rate of 120.13, with a top score of 140.
This year, he has played seven ODIs, accumulating 523 runs at an average of 87.16 and a strike rate exceeding 116, including two centuries and three fifties.
Squads:
India Squad: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul(w), Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Auqib Nabi, Dhruv Jurel
West Indies Squad: John Campbell, Jewel Andrew, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope(w/c), Amir Jangoo, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Keemo Paul, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes.