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Not Shubman Gill! Michael Clarke picks India's top run-machine for Australia ODIs

Akshita Patel

Michael Clarke's prediction on India-Australia series [Source: @MClarke23, @Akshatgoel1408/X.com]Michael Clarke's prediction on India-Australia series [Source: @MClarke23, @Akshatgoel1408/X.com]

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has made a surprising prediction regarding the India vs Australia ODI series. While many expect Shubman Gill to dominate the batting charts, Clarke believes it will be Virat Kohli who ends up as the leading run-scorer of the series. 

The ODI series marks the return of Kohli and Rohit Sharma to international action after a seven-month break. 

Both veterans have already retired from T20Is and Test cricket and are now focusing solely on ODIs. Their comeback has generated massive excitement among fans who have been waiting to see them back in Indian colours.

Michael Clarke expects Virat Kohli to dominate Australian conditions

Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke said he expects Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to score runs and make the comeback series count.

He picked Kohli as someone he will bank on being the leading run scorer, given his past success in Down Under.

"(Leading run-scorer) Well, in my opinion, it's one of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli. I've just got this thing - if it is their last trip to Australia, they'll want to leave on a high. I think batting at number three or four is probably a little bit easier in Australia than opening because Rohit will open, so I'm going to go with Virat Kohli, leading run-scorer," Clarke said.

Clarke interestingly snubbed India’s new ODI captain, Shubman Gill, who recently scored 700+ runs in the Test series vs England.

Against Australia, however, Gill has scored just 280 runs in 8 ODI innings with a 35.00 average, 1 hundred and 1 fifty.

Virat-Rohit’s future in limbo

That being said, the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has also sparked debates about the future of Indian cricket. 

By the time the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 arrives, Kohli and Rohit will be 39 and 40 years old, raising questions about whether the team should continue to rely on them or fully back the younger generation. 

While the BCCI dismissed any immediate retirement rumours, reports say that the management is not very keen on backing the veterans for the World Cup irrespective of their form and performance.