 "Former India captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be making their first appearance for the Men in Blue in any format since the ICC Champions Trophy. AFP")
In the early morning of October 16, when Team India’s flight from Singapore finally landed in Perth at around 2.45 am after a long delay, most of the city was asleep. But not the fans. Even at that odd hour, dozens waited patiently outside the airport, draped in jerseys and waving flags, hoping to catch a glimpse of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — the “Ro-Ko” pair whose return to the Indian dressing room has reignited excitement around a format many had stopped caring about.
By the time the team bus rolled into the hotel close to 4 am, there were still clusters of fans in the lobby. Many of them had work the next morning, but sleep was clearly a small price to pay. One of them, a 26-year-old named Rohit Sharma — yes, that’s his real name — works for the Western Australian government. He told me his boss had granted him a short break just so he could be around the Indian team.
“I just want to see them in person. Rohit and Virat together again — it feels like childhood coming back,” he said, his voice cutting through the early morning chill.
Sleepy Perth alive and buzzing with excited Indian cricket fans
That emotion perfectly sums up the mood in Perth this week. A sleepy little town known more for its beaches and quiet lifestyle has suddenly come alive, buzzing with Indian fans — some local, others who have flown in from different parts of Australia. For once, it’s not a World Cup or a marquee Test match creating the frenzy. It’s a three-match ODI series, a format that had quietly slipped into the background amid the glitz of T20s — yet this one feels special.
Everywhere you go, the talk is the same: Ro-Ko.
At the team hotel, fans have gone to remarkable lengths just to be close to the players. Some have booked AUD 400 rooms for a night simply to share the same lobby. Others are reserving breakfast tables in the hotel restaurant in the hope of a fleeting encounter. A few tech-savvy supporters are even using AI tools and old tour data to track the Indian players’ favourite hangout spots in Perth, visiting restaurants where Kohli and Rohit were once seen years ago.
At the Perth Stadium practice sessions , which are partly accessible to fans, the energy is electric. Every time Kohli walks out to bat, a cheer rolls across the arena like a wave. When Rohit finishes his net session and obliges fans with autographs or selfies, phones immediately light up to capture the moment. For two men who have seen everything international cricket has to offer, it’s striking how naturally they still connect with the crowd.
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Their warmth stands out. Despite tight security, both have made small but genuine gestures — signing jerseys, posing for photographs, acknowledging shouts from the sidelines whenever possible. You can sense the nostalgia in the air. For many, this series is not just about cricket; it’s about seeing their heroes one more time, together, in a format that once defined Indian cricket’s emotional pulse.
From a routine ODI series to a must-watch event
And make no mistake, the stakes are high. Rohit and Virat’s return to the dressing room — after months away and amid questions about India’s long-term plans — has turned this seemingly routine series into a must-watch event. In an era dominated by T20s, the return of two of the greatest ODI batters has revived public interest in 50-over cricket almost overnight.
Whether they will continue till the 2027 World Cup, nobody knows — not even chief selector Ajit Agarkar , nor perhaps Ro-Ko themselves. But judging by their intensity and body language so far in Australia, both appear up for the challenge. They’re treating these three ODIs as a statement — a mini World Cup of their own. For them, it’s no less than a quarter-final, a semi-final and a final.
With all the fan enthusiasm and the significance attached to these games, this series suddenly feels bigger than it should.
There is, however, a minor dampener. The weather forecast for match day in Perth predicts around 50 per cent chance of rain in the morning, and the groundsmen are keeping a close watch. But even that hasn’t dimmed the excitement. Tickets are selling fast, and for once, an early-summer ODI in Western Australia feels like a headline event.
Start of a final chapter
For Kohli and Rohit, this series could mark the start of a final chapter. Their Test careers ended here in Australia less than a year ago. Now, back in their favourite format, they walk a fine line between nostalgia and necessity. For the new captain Shubman Gill , this is a moment to observe and learn — but for the fans, it’s simply a reunion they’ve longed for.
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As the author stands near the nets during India’s training session, watching fans chant “Ro-Ko! Ro-Ko!” from outside, it’s hard not to feel the weight of history — two modern greats back together, perhaps for one last dance in a format they helped define.
Perth may be quiet most days, but this weekend, it’s roaring with anticipation.