The 3-match ODI series between India and Australia is all set to begin tomorrow at the PCA stadium in Mohali. The series will be like a dress rehearsal for the two teams ahead of the World Cup in India in October-November.
Senior players including skipper Rohit Sharma, senior batter Virat Kohli, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and in-form spinner Kuldeep Yadav have been rested from the first two games, giving them a chance to get mentally fresh for the ODI World Cup.
Off-spinner R Ashwin who made a surprise return to the ODI squad, will be fighting for a spot in the World Cup squad, particularly if Axar Patel does not recover in time, setting the stage for an exciting selection dilemma alongside Washington Sundar.
Wicket-keeper-batsman KL Rahul will lead the side in the first two games against Australia before Rohit returns to lead a full-strength squad in the third and final ODI ahead of the World Cup, beginning October 5.
On the Australian front, Australia skipper Pat Cummins said that he is hoping to play all three matches in the series.
Cummins, who has completely recovered from his left wrist injury, also said that Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell will miss the series opener. Talking about Steven Smith, who had been nursing a wrist niggle, the captain said, “he has got a few good hits and he looks hundred per cent”.
The two teams will travel to Indore and play the 2nd ODI on 24th September. The last game will be played at Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot on 27th September.
Interestingly, India and Australia will kickstart their World Cup campaign against each other in Chennai on 8th October.
Where to watch India-Australia ODI series?
Sports 18 will broadcast the ODI series between India and Australia. Additionally, the JioCinema app will also stream the matches live.
IND vs AUS 2023 ODI Full Squads:
India:
For first two ODIs: KL Rahul (Captain and wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
For third ODI: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel (subject to fitness), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
Australia:
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa