Abhishek Sharma could earn his maiden ODI call-up. Photo: BCCI
For the first time since the Champions Trophy 2025 final, India will make their return to ODI cricket during the Australia tour. The Men in Blue are scheduled to tour the continent for 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is. The series will kick off with the 50-over matches, scheduled to be played on October 19, 23 and 25. Rohit Sharma will make his return as the captain. He now only plays ODI cricket. He has cleared the fitness test and is available for selection.Virat Kohli, who reportedly cleared the fitness test in London, is also vying to make his return. He and Rohit haven’t played international cricket since March. The selectors are likely to make a couple of changes in the squad. Here, we have a look at India’s probable 15-member team for the ODI series against Australia –
Openers
Rohit and Shubman Gill are confirmed to open the innings in Australia. Gill will be Rohit’s deputy. The selectors can reward Abhishek Sharma for his brilliant run of form in T20Is with his maiden call-up in ODIs. Abhishek can give quick starts to India in ODIs too, which can prove to be the game-changer. The left-handed batsman has 2014 runs in 61 List A matches he has played so far.
Middle-order
Virat Kohli will travel to Australia for probably the last time in his career, while Shreyas Iyer is set to make his return. He will lead the India A cricket team in three one-dayers against Australia A before the series. Iyer has taken a six-month break from red-ball cricket.
All-rounders
Hardik Pandya is likely to be the sole pace-bowling all-rounder in the ODI series. Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are set to tour Australia again. Both were part of the 2015 World Cup squad, which played in Australia and New Zealand. Axar remained on the bench in the tournament.
Wicketkeepers
KL Rahul will tour Australia while Sanju Samson looks set to make his ODI return after almost two years. Rishabh Pant is out with an injury and is set to miss the Australia tour. Samson is leading the race to replace him.
Bowlers
Since there is no ODI ICC event till 2027, Jasprit Bumrah is only expected to play the T20I leg of the series. Mohammed Shami should keep his spot. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are likely to be two other pacers. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy look set to retain their spots.
India’s likely ODI squad for Australia tour: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami