IND vs AUS: Predicted India Playing 11 for the 1st ODI against Australia
The Indian cricket schedule leading up to the Australia Tour has not been dry. Starting with the India vs England five-match Test series, the Men in Blue played and won the highly charged Asia Cup 2025. The T20I multi-nation tournament was followed by wrapping up a swift 2-0 sweep in the India vs West Indies Test series at home. However, all eyes were set, awaiting the Australia Tour. The fervor has hit its peak for the upcoming India vs Australia white-ball series. A battle of equals with a tour down under, the series will feature three ODIs and five T20Is. The most exciting aspect, meanwhile, is the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Indian blues after over six months.
A look at the predicted India Playing XI for the 1st ODI against Australia
The India cricket schedule has witnessed ODIs taking a backseat lately. The upcoming India vs Australia ODI series will see the Men in Blue taking on the 50-over format after eight long months. A lot has changed within this time frame. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their Test retirements amid IPL 2025, making India’s ICC Champions Trophy win in March their last appearance for India. Eight months from then, the fan favorites will now take the field again when the Australia Tour kicks off with the first ODI scheduled on 19 October in Perth.
Meanwhile, the Men in Blue will be led by Shubman Gill, who will make his ODI captaincy debut with the India vs Australia series. With the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup just two years away, the BCCI has set the transition in motion. However, the management's promptness has cast a shadow on the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With uncertainty surrounding their way forward, the three-match ODI series down under is poised as a crucial stepping stone for Ro-Ko.
Beyond Rohit and Kohli, who are all but certain to feature in the India Playing XI for the 1st ODI, it will be interesting to see how the unit shapes up. Shubman Gill, the new ODI captain, will open along with the former skipper. Virat Kohli, at his usual spot coming out one down, will be followed by Shreyas Iyer, who is now the team's vice-captain in the format. Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the Australia Tour due to injury, opening a spot for Nitish Kumar Reddy in the combination.
Moreover, with Ravindra Jadeja rested for the series down under, the India Playing XI for the 1st ODI against Australia is likely to include Washington Sundar. However, the spin all-rounder could be sidelined in favor of Kuldeep Yadav, who has been on top of his form lately, as seen during the Asia Cup 2025 and the India vs West Indies Test series. The equation will come down to conditions and the management's choice to deepen the batting order.
Meanwhile, with Jasprit Bumrah rested for the India vs Australia ODI series, Harshit Rana is likely to get a spot in the India Playing XI for the 1st ODI against Australia. The pace attack, meanwhile, will be led by Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh. The spin department will be bolstered by Axar Patel, who has now evolved into a reliable batting prospect as well, with the combination often utilizing him as a floater. KL Rahul is also a certain piece in the puzzle, who will serve as the wicketkeeper.
India Playing XI for the 1st ODI against Australia
Shubman Gill (C)
Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer (VC)
KL Rahul (WK)
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Axar Patel
Kuldeep Yadav
Harshit Rana
Arshdeep Singh
Mohammed Siraj
India squad for India vs Australia ODI series
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal
