Rohit, Virat Return as Gill Leads India in AUS vs IND 1st ODI

The India vs Australia ODI series begins with high drama as Shubman Gill debuts as India’s full-time ODI captain on October 19 in Perth, welcoming back stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after seven months. The Optus Stadium is set to witness a crowd exceeding 50,000, marking one of the largest attendances in its history.

Ro-Ko’s Final Dash

After a long absence from international cricket, Kohli and Rohit return to the ODI format that defined their careers. While this signals their final major stage internationally, it also offers selectors and team management the chance to gauge their form ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Both legends have prepared meticulously: Kohli trained privately in London, focusing on precision, while Rohit appears leaner and more disciplined, aiming to extend his career with clarity. The challenge lies in regaining rhythm, particularly against Australia’s pace attack, including Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

The Gill Chapter Begins

Shubman Gill now leads a side featuring two of cricket’s modern icons, balancing leadership and performance. Kohli and Rohit have already contributed their experience in the nets, assisting Gill with strategy and shot selection. As India’s captain, Gill must blend innovation with experience to maintain India’s strong ODI legacy.

Gill acknowledged the support from his seniors: “I have a very good relationship with both Virat Bhai and Rohit Bhai. Whenever I have a doubt about anything, I go to them, take their suggestions… they never hesitate to tell me anything. That’s the real wealth of experience.”

Australia’s Preparations

Australia enters the series managing injuries and player absences. Key players like Pat Cummins face fitness concerns, Josh Inglis is sidelined with a calf strain, Cameron Green sits out, and Adam Zampa is away for personal reasons. The hosts rely on stars like Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and Mitchell Starc to challenge India’s experienced batting lineup.

Perth Weather & Pitch Report

Rain may intervene with a 35% chance of showers, potentially impacting the toss and early play. Optus Stadium historically favors bowlers, with an average first-innings score of 183 and successful chases rarely exceeding 153. Batters will need to respect the pace and bounce to succeed.

India vs Australia: Head-to-Head in ODIs

India and Australia have met in 152 ODIs, with India winning 58 and Australia 84. In Australia, India has secured only 14 victories in 54 matches, with their only bilateral series win coming in 2019 (2-1). The last meeting, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final, saw India win by four wickets.

Predicted Playing XI

India: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Josh Philippe (WK), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis

With this combination of experience and fresh leadership, India aims for a strong start in Perth as the series sets the tone for a competitive ODI and T20I campaign.