Top News

New Delhi: Fans gathered at the Adelaide airport to create a festive atmosphere in support of Team India as theShubman Gill-led side arrived in the city for the second ODI against Australia on the occasion of Diwali on Monday. India will lock horns with Australia in the 2nd ODI of the ongoing three-match series at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, October 23.

Fans chanted Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s names to celebrate the senior duo’s presence as the Indian team arrived at the Adelaide airport. In a video shared by Star Sports, Indian fans were seen singing a special song for ‘Mumbai cha Raja’ Rohit. Fans also chanted Kohli’s name, showcasing that the mood remains upbeat despite India’s 7-wicket loss in the rain-affected first ODI.

The chants for Kohli and Rohit also underlined Indian cricket fans’ undying passion for the game. Both senior players, who are making their comeback to the Indian team after a seven-month-long hiatus from international cricket, will be hoping to use the grand reception as motivation to bounce back in the 2nd ODI after they failed in the series opener in Perth.

Watch Indian fans chant Rohit, Kohli’s name at Adelaide airport:

The love for Ro-Ko! 🥹

Fans shower #RohitSharma & #ViratKohli with songs & praises as they gear up for the 2nd ODI vs Australia! 🙌🏻#AUSvIND, 2nd ODI 👉 Thu, 23rd Oct, 8 AM! pic.twitter.com/kry928PTsA

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia)

There was a sense of excitement and nervousness surrounding Kohli and Rohit’s much-awaited return for India. The duo failed to live up to the expectations as they were both dismissed cheaply in the game. Rohit could only manage 8 runs on his comeback and was caught off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood, while Kohli was removed on a duck by left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc.

India look to level series in Adelaide

After suffering a 7-wicket defeat via the DLS method in the first ODI in Perth, Gill-led India will be looking to bounce back to winning ways to level the three-match series 1-1 in Adelaide on Thursday. The visitors will hope to produce a better performance with the bat after their poor show in Perth, where the Aussie pacers made the most of the conditions to trouble the Indian batters consistently.

Skipper Gill, who also failed to fire in the series opener, will be aiming to get back among the runs in the 2nd ODI. The 25-year-old is leading India in his first ODI series as captain, having taken over from Rohit ahead of the series and will be hoping to inspire his team to series victory despite a bumpy start.

---