Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli could be making competitive return before boarding flight to Australia, claims report

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are widely expected to make their return to international cricket during India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia , in which the Men in Blue will be playing three ODIs next month in addition to as many T20Is. The two stalwarts of Indian cricket, however, could be making their return to competitive cricket against the Australians before even boarding the flight Down Under.

Australia A, after all, will be arriving in India in a few days time, where they will be facing India A in two unofficial Tests and three one-dayers. The BCCI has already unveiled the Shreyas Iyer-led squad for the red-ball fixtures that will be taking place in Lucknow starting next week, and is expected to make a similar announcement for the white-ball games.

Rohit, Kohli to face Aussies at home? 

According to a report on Hindustan Times on Sunday, both Rohit and Kohli could be picked for the three 50-over games, which will be taking place from 30 September to 5 October in Kanpur.

Both Rohit and Kohli had last represented India in the Champions Trophy in the UAE earlier this year, with the former delivering the Men in Blue their second consecutive ICC title as captain.

The two would then play for their respective franchises – Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru – in the 18th season of the Indian Premier League, in which RCB fulfilled Kohli’s dream of lifting the IPL trophy with a victory over Punjab Kings in the final.

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The two superstars had quit T20Is after helping India win the T20 World Cup last year, and also announced their retirement from Test cricket in May, making the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia last winter in which India suffered a 3-1 series loss their final appearance in whites.

Ro-Ko were initially expected to make their international comeback during India’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh that was scheduled to take place last month, only for the tour to get rescheduled for next year amid to strained ties between New Delhi and Dhaka.