The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host the second T20I between India and Australia on October 31, promising another packed house for this high-profile clash.
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India’s White-Ball Tour of Australia: A New Era Begins
India’s white-ball campaign in Australia kicks off on October 19, with the Shubman Gill-led side first playing a three-match ODI series, followed by a five-match T20I series against the newly-crowned Asia Cup champions. With just two weeks to go, Melbourne is already buzzing for the new-generation Indian stars. The city will host the second T20I on October 31, and despite the absence of legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, tickets for the game have officially sold out.
When Rohit and Kohli announced their sudden retirement from Test cricket in May, amid widespread speculation about behind-the-scenes developments, fans worldwide were stunned. The BCCI had a transition plan, naming Gill as the new Test captain, but fan reaction to the legends’ departure was so overwhelming that no one welcomed the new-look Indian team at the London airport for the Test series against England earlier this summer.
The airport scene in London sharply contrasted with Perth during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in November 2024, where fans’ frenzy to catch a glimpse of Kohli forced the BCCI to take special privacy measures during practice sessions, while the media continued to celebrate the ‘King,’ believed to be on his final Test tour Down Under.
Next-Gen Stars Shine as Rohit and Kohli Prepare Farewell: T20I
One of the biggest concerns for Indian cricket stakeholders has been the lack of stars beyond Kohli and Rohit. Yet, history shows India consistently produces its icons: from Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar and the Big Five, followed by Kohli and Rohit. The Asia Cup offered a glimpse of the next generation, with Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma ready to carry the baton.
Gill, long considered Kohli’s heir, proved his mettle during the England Test series, while Abhishek captured attention with his T20 pyrotechnics, scoring 314 runs in seven innings during the Asia Cup and earning Player of the Tournament honors.
The excitement around the duo, coupled with India’s T20I dominance, led to record ticket sales for the upcoming Australia series. The Melbourne Cricket Ground officially sold out, and Cricket Australia reported over 175,000 tickets sold across eight matches. Sydney and Manuka Oval tickets are sold out, while limited seats remain for Adelaide and the Gabba. AFL and MCC member tickets for Melbourne are still being released, giving more fans a chance to attend.
Rohit and Kohli are set for their final ODI series in Australia, with Sydney hosting their last appearance on Australian soil. Cricket Australia has indicated plans for a farewell event to celebrate the illustrious careers of the two senior stalwarts.