The World Cup champions and the Champions Trophy winners are set to lock horns as Australia welcome India for a three-match ODI series, starting in Perth on Sunday 19 October.
It is the first time the fierce rivals have played a 50-over series since Australia’s unforgettable triumph in the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
The pair met in the Champions Trophy semi-final earlier this year with India gaining some revenge in Dubai, but playing a series in Australian conditions will be vastly different.
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The rivals last played an ODI series in Australia five years ago, with the hosts winning the series 2-1 off the back Steve Smith scoring two centuries, former skipper Aaron Finch smashing a ton as well as David Warner and Glenn Maxwell getting amongst the runs.
None of that quartet will be in action this time around, all having retired from the format.
A new-look Australian team will instead be put to the test as both teams have one eye towards their combinations for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Here are the biggest talking points ahead of the Australia v India ODI series!
The Ultimate Summer Showdown Begins! | 02:14
WILL THE SUMMER OF MARNUS CONTINUE?
Marnus Labuschagne just refuses to go away.
Dumped from the Test XI for the tour of the Caribbean after the World Test Championship final, the Queensland skipper has pommeled four centuries for his state – two against the red ball and two against the white ball – to mount a strong case for selection for the first Ashes Test in Perth.
The selectors have clearly seen enough at Sheffield Shield level as Labuschagne earned a recall to the ODI squad after being initially dumped for this series.
“I thought out of everything that he’s played, I really liked the innings in Adelaide,” chair of selectors George Bailey said of Labuschagne’s 159 in a Shield game at the Adelaide Oval during the week.
“I liked the intent, I liked the movement, liked the way he built the partnerships.
“It’s a nice bowling attack South Australia have got, so he’s batting nicely.
“We know he’s a quality player. We know there’s a hell of a lot of class there.
“To see him putting the runs up that has been really pleasing. And long may it continue.”
Marnus scores 4th ton of Aussie summer | 02:15
The right-hander struggled in the ODI top end series against South Africa in August, with scores of 1 and 1 in his two innings.
His recent ODI record does not make for pretty reading either, with just one half-century and an average of 21.9 to his name since his crucial 58 not out in the 2023 World Cup final victory.
But Australian fans will remember that Labuschagne has been master at taking unexpected opportunities.
His Test career famously took off after being a concussion substitute for Steve Smith at Lords in the 2019 Ashes, but in the one-day format he also went from not picked in the squad to World Cup winner.
Labuschagne was a late call-up for the injured Ashton Agar, and went on to play every game in that campaign.
He will be hoping such a reprieve in this instance, which has come as a result of Cameron Green’s side injury, can reignite his ODI career and act as a springboard towards the Ashes.
His place in the XI for the series opener against India in Perth is not certain with the likes of potential debutant Matt Renshaw also in the mix for a top order spot, while Australian captain Mitch Marsh confirmed that Matt Short will bat at No.3.
But the Australian hierarchy will certainly be hoping for more of what they have seen in recent weeks from Labuschagne.
Cam Green ruled out of ODI series | 01:06
‘STAY IN THE PRESENT’: INDIA’S COACH WARNING ABOUT VETERAN DUO
This series is very likely to be the last time cricket fans see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on Australian shores.
The veteran duo both bid farewell to cricket in the wash-up of last summer’s Border Gavaskar Trophy loss, and having retired from T20 internationals after last year’s World Cup victory in the Caribbean, they both only have the ODI format to pull on the India shirt in.
Sharma had doubts raised about his future in the 50-over side throughout the Champions Trophy, but the 38-year-old silenced his critics in the final against New Zealand with 76 to lead his team to another piece of silverware.
But the Indian hierarchy know Sharma could be done at any moment, as they handed the captaincy to new Test skipper Shubman Gill for this tour.
Chairman of International Cricket Council (ICC) Jay Shah (L) presents the winning trophy to India’s captain Rohit Sharma at the end of the ICC Champions Trophy one-day international (ODI) final cricket match between India and New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on March 9, 2025. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)Source: AFP
Kohli, meanwhile, also had a fruitful Champions Trophy, scoring an unbeaten century against Pakistan as well as 84 in the semi-final against Australia to remind the cricketing world of his ridiculous record chasing in ODI cricket.
Both Kohli and Sharma have made it clear that they want to keep playing through to the next World Cup.
But returning to Australian conditions will be a great test of if they can get there.
The faster, bouncier surfaces pose a very different challenge to the low, slow pitches of Dubai during the Champions Trophy.
Given the Australian fast bowlers also had their measure with the red and pink balls last summer, Indian coach Gautam Gambhir was unwilling to show any long term commitment to the veterans.
India’s Virat Kohli (R) celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) and his team’s win at the end of the ICC Champions Trophy one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Pakistan and India at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on February 23, 2025. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)Source: AFP
“Look, 50-over World Cup is still two-and-a-half years away, and I think it is very important to stay in the present,” Gambhir said in a press conference after India defeated the West Indies in the second and final Test of their series.
“That is very important. Obviously, they are quality players, they are coming back, their experience is going to be a handful in Australia as well.
“Hopefully, those two guys will have a successful tour, and more importantly, as a team, we will have a successful series.”
Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar have not hesitated to leave out other veterans from the ODI squads as they did not pick spin bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja or fast bowler Mohammed Shami for the Australian tour.
Tassie pull off close win over WA! | 00:41
HOW WILL BBL STAR FARE?
After a false start due to concussion, Mitchell Owen is set to make his ODI debut against India.
Owen burst onto scene with a stunning BBL campaign opening the batting for the Hobart Hurricanes, smashing two hundreds for the tournament, including a 39-ball ton in the final – the equal fastest in BBL history.
The 24-year-old earned a call-up to the national T20 team as a result, and has impressed, scoring 50 off 27 balls on debut in the West Indies, as well as amassing 149 runs at a strike rate of 161.95 in a middle order role.
But a top edge into his helmet against South Africa in Darwin delayed his ODI debut, ruling him out of what was supposed to be his debut three-game series.
The hard-hitting right-hander is not without pedigree in the 50-over format, smashing 149 from 69 balls for Tasmania against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval in February.
Mitchell Owen (L) of Australia celebrates his half century during the 1st T20i between West Indies and Australia at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, on July 20, 2025. (Photo by Randy Brooks / AFP)Source: AFP
Like his Hurricanes exploits, that knock came opening the batting, but it is unlikely that Owen will find himself facing the new ball against India.
Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh seemingly have the opening spots locked down, and like in T20 internationals, Owen will need to adjust to a middle to lower order role.
Last summer in the ODI series against Pakistan, and in the Champions Trophy semi-final against India, Australia experimented with the likes of Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly at the top of the order off the back of their T20 performances.
The latter two are in the squad to face India, but are set to be jostling with Owen for a middle to lower order position.
Fox Cricket’s Brendan Julian told foxsports.com.au after Owen was named in the ODI squad for the South Africa series, that he believes he has got the tools to succeed where other BBL breakout players have struggled.
HOBART, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Mitch Owen of the Hurricanes celebrates scoring a century during the BBL The Final match between Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder at Ninja Stadium on January 27, 2025 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“I like him,” Julian said.
“I was calling that game when he scored that first hundred down in Tasmania.
“I think he’s really good.
“I think what he’s done, is he’s been able to adapt, change his game.
“And that’s what Jake Fraser-McGurk hasn’t done.
“Have to be able to change your game and adapt to certain situations.
“You’ve got to pace yourself, and give yourself a chance.
“I think he’ll grab the opportunity with both hands.
“That’s what you have to do. You’ve got to work on your game stepping up to international cricket is a totally different thing.
“You can’t play the same way.”
Aussies hit the nets ahead of 1st ODI | 00:50
WHO IS AUSTRALIA’S NEXT FAST BOWLER IN LINE?
The return of Mitchell Starc to Australia’s ODI squad makes the competition for spots among the other quick bowlers even tighter.
Starc and Josh Hazlewood are locks to play, provided they are not rotated out of the team as part of any pre-Ashes management, but with Pat Cummins sidelined with his back issue, the race to join two thirds of Australia’s big three in the XI is tight.
Typically, there would be just one place for a fast bowler with Adam Zampa a certainty to play, but the leg spinner will miss the series opener at Optus Stadium for personal reasons.
Left arm tweaker Matt Kuhnemann has been called into the squad, but Zampa’s absence may prompt selectors to lean on a combination of Travis Head, Cooper Connolly and Matt Short to bowl spin so they can play four pacemen.
Australia’s Nathan Ellis reacts during the ICC Champions Trophy one-day international (ODI) semi-final cricket match between Australia and India at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on March 4, 2025. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)Source: AFP
Nathan Ellis appears to be third in the pecking order, behind Starc and Hazlewood, as he played all three matches against South Africa.
The Tasmanian is highly regarded for his skilfulness at the death despite not boasting an eye-catching career record.
Ellis has taken 17 wickets at 40.58 in 15 ODIs to date, but it his economy rate of 5.43 that shows his value to the team.
Xavier Bartlett on the other hand boasts a simply ridiculous ODI record.
From four matches, the Queenslander has taken 12 wickets at an average of 10.66 and an economy of 4.10.
Australiaâs Xavier Bartlett (R) celebrates with teammate and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis (L) after dismissing South Africaâs Ryan Rickelton during the second One Day International (ODI) cricket match between Australia and South Africa at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay on August 22, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE –Source: AFP
Bartlett nabbed figures of 4/17 and 4/21 in his debut series against the West Indies last year, and then returned to the line-up against the South Africans in August.
He once again showed his ability to hoop the new white Kookaburra, grabbing 2/45 in both matches he played, albeit the first was from nine overs, while the second was from six overs.
But it was the addition of extra pace, as well as a few more tricks up his sleeve that impressed Australian great Mark Waugh when Bartlett returned to the side.
“You can’t always just rely on swing, I think he’s picked up a yard or two over the last year,” Waugh said on Fox Cricket’s coverage.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Ben Dwarshuis of Australia celebrates bowling Phil Salt of England during the 1st Metro Bank ODI between England and Australia at Trent Bridge on September 19, 2024 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Ben Dwarshuis is the other pace option in the squad, and the left armer also has an impressive record from his young ODI career.
The 31-year-old has taken 11 wickets at 24.54 with an economy rate of 5.51 in six ODIs.
The New South Welshman is also the best of the trio with the bat, boasting a first class average of 27.25.
WHERE DOES COOPER CONNOLLY FIT IN?
The Australian coaching staff and selectors might just tell Cooper Connolly that he needs to look across to the other dressing room to see the sort of player they want him to become.
India have named Axar Patel and Washington Sundar in their squad, two finger spinners capable of bowling ten tight overs and batting in the top seven.
They are exactly what the Australians would love Connolly to become.
The 22-year-old has been thrown here there and everywhere during his whirlwind five match ODI career.
He debuted last year in England by being listed at eight, and not getting a hit, and bowled four overs that conceded 31 runs in the series decider Australia won by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
His next appearance was in his home city of Perth against Pakistan last November.
Batting at number five, Connolly retired hurt on seven as a Mohammad Hasnain bouncer broke his hand.
He returned to the side for a single match in Sri Lanka in February, immediately after his Test debut.
Australia’s Cooper Connolly leaves the field after being dismissed during the ICC Champions Trophy one-day international (ODI) semi-final cricket match between Australia and India at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on March 4, 2025. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)Source: AFP
Batting at three, he made a painstaking 3 off 16 balls.
Almost a month later, he was thrust in to the side to open the batting in the Champions Trophy semi-final against India at the last minute after an injury crisis had rocked the Australian camp.
He fell for a nine-ball duck.
It all felt a bit cruel as the youngster was clearly out of his deep in the infancy of his career, but he may have hit a turning point in his last outing.
Recalled for the final ODI against South Africa in Mackay in August, Connolly, listed to bat at seven, did not get a hit as Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green blasted hundreds.
He then snared the best ever figures by an Australian spinner in an ODI, taking 5/22 from six overs.
MACKAY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 24: Cooper Connolly of Australia celebrates dismissing Keshav Maharaj of South Africa, his fifth wicket of the game, during game three of the One Day International Series between Australia and South Africa at Great Barrier Reef Arena on August 24, 2025 in Mackay, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
With his left arm tweakers, Connolly eclipsed the likes of the great Shane Warne and multiple World Cup winner Brad Hogg.
It may just have been the turning point Connolly needed to be settled down within the team.
He has long been seen as a batter of promise, but while his craft with the willow develops, he has proven that he can serviceable in the all-rounder’s position at number seven.
Connolly will face stiff competition from the likes of Mitchell Owen and Matthew Short for a place in the starting side, but regardless, the youngster seems to have found his way forward, if he can improve with the blade.