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<\/a><\/p>\nIt was also a fitting end to their time in the country, given only Sachin Tendulkar has scored more ODI runs against Australia than Rohit or Kohli.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think from very early on, it was pretty clear that we both understood the game pretty well,\u201d Kohli said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the only reason you can play for so long.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you have an understanding of the situation, your own game, and how to apply it in different situations … that\u2019s something that we\u2019ve always taken a lot of pride in.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve loved coming to this country and playing in front of big crowds. We\u2019ve played some of our best cricket here.\u201d<\/p>\n
But if Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg gets his way, Kohli could be back before he retires.<\/p>\n
Greenberg said it is \u201crealistic\u201d to think the Indian great could one day follow Sydney Thunder\u2019s star summer recruit Ravichandran Ashwin into the Big Bash League.<\/p>\n
Cricket Australia is weighing up whether to allow private investment into the league and its teams, potentially bringing more money to the competition.<\/p>\n
As it stands Indian players must be retired from international and domestic cricket to feature in overseas leagues, while also walking away from the lucrative IPL.<\/p>\n
Whether that would change if Indian franchises continue to buy out teams in other countries remains to be seen, after investment in South Africa, England, the UAE and Caribbean.<\/p>\n
Asked if it was realistic to think that Kohli could one day return to Australia in a franchise league, Greenberg said it was.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the short to medium term, I think it is realistic over time. We\u2019re going to keep the dialogue open,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRavichandran Ashwin coming is a really important moment for the BBL and it will highlight the strength I think of bringing Indian players into the league.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat that manifests over time I think is to be seen. Some of that will depend on whether we take private capital into the BBL which is an open conversation for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bringing Kohli to the BBL would likely come with a significant price tag, with the Indian star one of the most marketable men in world sport.<\/p>\n
![\"Veterans](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0981f7fa4ffe182445493162744aa388c56eea0c.jpg\")
Veterans Rohit Sharma and Viral Kohli have guided India to a crushing win over Australia. Credit: AAP<\/p>\n
CA will ideally make a decision on privatisation this summer, with Greenberg having made no secret of his desire to make the BBL the second biggest league behind the IPL.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is one thing the best leagues have all over the world in every sport. They have access to the best players and the BBL should be no different to that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should have aspirations to make sure the very best players, both here in Australia and globally, can play in the BBL.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat costs money because players have leverage and opportunity to play all over the world. So unashamedly we want to bring the very best players here.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s one of the primary drivers why we would consider bringing private capital into the BBL so that we can compete on the global stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kohli\u2019s day out at the SCG<\/p>\n
Rohit\u2019s century marked his ninth against Australia in ODI cricket, averaging close to 60 against them.<\/p>\n
But in reality Saturday night was always going to be about Kohli at a sold-out SCG.<\/p>\n
The heavily pro-India crowd were chanting his name as Shubman Gill and Rohit started fast, and cheered when Gill was caught behind for 24 with India 1-69.<\/p>\n
That roar was only eclipsed when Kohli scored a run off his first ball and pumped the air, breaking a run of back-to-back ducks in India\u2019s losses in Perth and Adelaide.<\/p>\n
There were signs of Kohli\u2019s best early when he cut Adam Zampa for four, before a lovely straight drive off Mitchell Starc that went to the boundary.<\/p>\n
Kohli survived an lbw review on 35 on umpire\u2019s call on height, and brought up his half-century off 56 balls.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good to be out of the pond,\u201d Kohli said, in reference to his two ducks.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve scored so many runs in international cricket, but then the game shows you everything.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven at this stage, 37 and not many days old and still can feel like I don\u2019t know how to get a run. I mean, this game is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the other end, Rohit was flying.<\/p>\n
The opener took to Adam Zampa, sweeping him over the rope twice and producing another six when he lifted the legspinner over long-off.<\/p>\n
He hit Starc to the boundary four times in the left-armer\u2019s first three overs, and drove Nathan Ellis over mid-off for another four.<\/p>\n
Horribly out of form on last year\u2019s Test tour, Rohit brought up his century from 105 balls when he pushed Zampa down the ground.<\/p>\n
And as the game felt as if it was becoming something of a Kohli testimonial, India\u2019s megastar had the final say when he uppercut Ellis for four to finish off the chase.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think everyone got what they wanted tonight,\u201d Australia batter Matt Renshaw quipped.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was amazing to see them and the way they went about things tonight. It could have been a tricky chase, but they just took the game out of our control.\u2019\u2018<\/p>\n
Renshaw had earlier top-scored for Australia with 56, but the hosts failed to make use of a solid base of 3-183 before being bowled out for 236 in the 47th over.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was frustrating,\u201d Renshaw said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt felt like every time we built a partnership we lost a wicket. And you can\u2019t do that against a quality side like India.\u2019\u2018<\/p>\n
Australian staff also brushed aside any concerns over Josh Hazlewood\u2019s finger, after he left the field late bleeding after a spilled catch.<\/p>\n
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