The opening two ODIs will not include Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, or Kuldeep Yadav.
The team for India’s forthcoming three-match ODI series against Australia has been released, and it includes off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who last played in the ODI format in January 2022 against South Africa.
Notable players who will be resting in the first two ODIs include Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav. In Rohit’s absence, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul will captain the team.
Ashwin is back as India names their ODI team against Australia
Axar Patel will also miss the first two ODIs due to a left quadriceps ailment he sustained at the Asia Cup 2023 final. On September 22, the first ODI in the series will be played in Mohali’s IS Bindra Stadium, home of the Punjab Cricket Association. The third ODI is set to take place on September 27 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot after the second game on September 24 at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized the need for these players to have a mental break in order to prepare for the major event when explaining the decision to rest important members of the World Cup squad right before the tournament.
“Rohit is stepping away. Some people are taking a break. Virat and Rohit have been in existence for ages. Hardik was present. also Kuldeep. In the Asia Cup, there was a decent quantity of cricket. In the third game, our starting players will play, and the guys need a mental rest,” Agar remarked in the news conference.
Agarkar also offered information on Axar Patel’s and Shreyas Iyer’s injuries.
If Iyer had chosen a stress fracture, he would not be on the team. He is currently healthy and should receive these three games. He did get a niggle, but he is currently healthy. Hopefully, Axar will be healthy, Ashwin provides expertise, and both Washington and Ashwin are available to serve as Axar’s backup. There is no reason to speculate right now; we’ll examine it when the time is appropriate,” he continued.
India’s squad for first two ODIs vs Australia:
KL Rahul (c), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, R Ashwin, Washington Sundar
India’s Squad for third ODI vs Australia:
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Washington Sundar, R. Ashwin
