Team India is set to lock horns against Australia for the three-match ODI series. The first game is scheduled to be played on October 19 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
Ahead of the series, Team India stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will make their return to international cricket. The series will mark their first appearance for India since the Champions Trophy 2025.
Ahead of the series, former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has pointed out the challenges that the start Indian duo may face in Australia.
“Rohit and Virat are currently among the top five ODI batters in the ICC rankings, but now that they`re only playing one format, it`ll be challenging for them to hit the ground running. It might take a little time to find the right preparation rhythm to face the best bowlers in the world,” said Watson on JioHotstar.
“But these two are as good as one-day batters get. It won`t take them long to find the right formula and get back to their best; their class and consistency are second to none,” he added.
Additionally, the “Men in Blue” will enter the series under the leadership of newly appointed captain Shubman Gill. The 26-year-old replaced Rohit as the captain of India in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
Watson also said that the series could also mark Rohit and Virat`s last trip to Australia, and is hopeful that the Australian cricket-loving people will showcase how much they adore them.
“This indeed could be Rohit and Virat`s last trip Down Under, and I really believe the Australian cricket-loving public are going to show how much they absolutely adore them. There`s no doubt Virat`s been one of Australia`s biggest foes over the years. He`s always performed against the Aussies and knows how to give it back as well,” said the 44-year-old former cricketer.
IND vs AUS ODIs: Full squads
India`s squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Australia`s squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc.
(With ANI Inputs)