Perth, Oct 18 (NationPress) Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh is gearing up for a thrilling one-day series against India, blending excitement with light-heartedness. He expressed hope that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma won’t showcase “too much great cricket” in what might be their last appearance on Australian soil.

In anticipation of Sunday’s first ODI at Optus Stadium—a sold-out event despite a 90% chance of rain—Marsh remarked that the series is poised to be a memorable experience for both fans and players. With over 175,000 tickets already sold for the three-match series, the excitement is palpable as two of India’s cricketing legends return to Australia.

“I’ve had the privilege of playing against them a lot over the years. They are clearly legends of the game,” said Marsh. “Virat, particularly in white-ball cricket, is the greatest chaser ever. This explains the high ticket sales and the reasons behind the crowd’s eagerness to witness them. If this is their last time in Australia, I hope they savor it, and that the fans can enjoy watching two of the greats play here.”

Marsh, stepping in as captain for Pat Cummins who is sidelined due to injury, mentioned that leading Australia at home is a significant honor.

“Captaining your country is always a huge privilege. Playing on home turf is even more special, and it seems we’re expecting a large crowd,” he said. “Seeing the stadium packed for a match against India is going to be an incredible experience for our team.”

The opening match will also kick off Kohli’s farewell tour in Australia, as both he and Rohit have retired from Tests and T20Is to focus solely on ODIs with the 2027 ODI World Cup in their sights.

In a humorous vein, Marsh playfully dismissed any thoughts of a Test recall despite ongoing injury issues with fellow West Australian Cameron Green and Beau Webster ahead of the Ashes next month.

“I’ve got tickets for days one and two. I haven’t asked my wife yet, so that’s as much consideration as I’ve given it,” Marsh joked.

Marsh shared that Green, who has been managing some side soreness, is expected to be fit for the first Ashes Test in Perth. “He’s okay; it’s on the minor side, and we’re being cautious, but he’s all good,” Marsh added.

As the focus shifts back to the white-ball series, Marsh underscored the importance of a strong start on Sunday. “Often, the conditions at Perth (Optus) Stadium can create challenges with a new ball, and both teams will aim to make early inroads on that pitch. Historically, in the Big Bash, many of the highest scores come later in the innings,” he said. “I believe it’s going to be a high-scoring game, but surviving the first 10 overs will be critical and could determine the match’s outcome.”