Australia has received a significant boost ahead of their three-match ODI series against India, with Cricket Australia announcing their squad featuring key returnees and fresh faces for the highly anticipated white-ball contest beginning October 19.
Starc Returns After Rest Period
The most notable inclusion is Mitchell Starc, who returns to ODI cricket after missing the recent series against South Africa in August. The left-arm pace spearhead has been carefully managing his workload ahead of the upcoming Ashes series and will make his first international appearance of the summer. Having retired from T20 internationals, Starc’s return strengthens Australia’s bowling attack significantly for the 50-over format.
Renshaw Earns Recall After Impressive Form
Matthew Renshaw has been recalled to the ODI squad for the first time since 2022, rewarding his prolific performances in domestic cricket. The 29-year-old left-handed batter impressed selectors with his outstanding displays for Australia A against Sri Lanka A in July, scoring 80, 106, and 62 runs across three matches. Renshaw also scored 305 one-day runs at an average of 50 for Queensland last season, earning him a chance to make his ODI debut.
Squad Changes and Key Additions
The 15-man ODI squad sees four significant additions alongside Starc – Matthew Renshaw, Matt Short, and Mitch Owen. Both Owen and Short return after recovering from injuries that sidelined them from the South Africa series, with Owen having suffered a concussion during the T20 series and Short recovering from a rib cartilage fracture.
Marnus Labuschagne has been surprisingly omitted from the squad despite his Test credentials, with selectors favoring Renshaw’s recent one-day form. Other notable exclusions include Sean Abbott, Aaron Hardie, and Matthew Kuhnemann, who were all part of Australia’s previous ODI assignment against South Africa.
Leadership and Squad Balance
Mitchell Marsh will continue as captain in Pat Cummins’ absence, who is recovering from a back injury ahead of the Ashes. The squad maintains a strong balance of experience and emerging talent, with Alex Carey included as wicketkeeper, though he will miss the series opener in Perth due to Sheffield Shield commitments.
Josh Inglis returns to the T20 squad after recovering from a calf strain and will handle wicketkeeping duties in Carey’s absence for the first match. Nathan Ellis also makes his return following the birth of his first child.
Australia ODI Squad vs India 2025
Captain: Mitchell Marsh
Squad: Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
Series Schedule and Expectations
The white-ball contest begins with three ODIs starting October 19 in Perth, followed by matches in Adelaide (October 23) and Sydney (October 25). Former Australian captain Aaron Finch has predicted a closely fought series, backing Australia to edge India 2-1, particularly citing the return of experienced players like Starc as a major boost.
The series serves as crucial preparation for both teams, with Australia building toward the 2027 World Cup and managing player workloads ahead of the Ashes series against England. India, led by new ODI captain Shubman Gill, will provide stern opposition with experienced players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in their ranks.
This squad announcement represents Australia’s strategic approach to balancing experienced campaigners with emerging talent, providing significant depth and options for the challenging series ahead against India’s formidable white-ball team.
