The biggest highlight of the India vs Australia 1st ODI is undoubtedly the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Fans have been waiting eagerly for this moment, as both legends have been away from international cricket for a while. The West Indies Test series lacked excitement, but now, with Kohli and Rohit back, the buzz has returned — not just among Indian fans but also among Australian supporters.
Tickets for the match have already been sold out across venues, underlining the star power of these two icons.
A New Chapter for Team India Under Shubman Gill
Team India begins a new phase under Shubman Gill’s captaincy as they look ahead to the 2027 World Cup. With only nine ODIs left before the IPL, every game counts. This series against Australia marks the start of India’s long-term preparations, featuring new experiments and a fresh leadership group.
The squad closely resembles the Champions Trophy team, with a few key changes.
Key Team Updates for India
- KL Rahul will continue as wicketkeeper.
- Hardik Pandya is out due to injury; Nitish Kumar Reddy replaces him.
- Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested for the ODI series.
These are the major updates for the Indian side heading into the first match.
Australia’s Setback: Injuries and Retirements
Australia, on the other hand, faces several challenges. While Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are fit and available — a huge positive — the team is dealing with retirements and injuries:
- Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith have retired.
- Pat Cummins is unavailable due to injury.
- Josh Inglis, Adam Zampa, and Cameron Green are also out of the first ODI.
With Green missing possibly the whole series, Marnus Labuschagne returns to the ODI setup to fill the void. Alex Carey, the regular wicketkeeper, is also missing, forcing Australia to rely on a relatively young squad.
Probable Playing XI – India
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (WK)
- Axar Patel
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Arshdeep Singh / Harshit Rana
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Kuldeep Yadav
There is a small chance of Yashasvi Jaiswal opening with Rohit, pushing Gill to No. 3, but the preferred combination remains Rohit-Gill at the top.
Bowling Combination and Selection Debates
At No. 8, India faces a decision — whether to play a third pacer or an all-rounder like Harshit Rana, who can bat a bit.
Kuldeep Yadav is likely to play, while Washington Sundar may miss out. The balance of the side suggests three pacers and one frontline spinner.
Probable Playing XI – Australia
- Mitchell Marsh (C)
- Travis Head
- Matt Short
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Josh Philippe (WK)
- Mitch Owen
- Cooper Connolly
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Ellis / Ben Dwarshuis
- Josh Hazlewood
- Matthew Kuhnemann
Australia’s bowling attack will rely heavily on Starc and Hazlewood, while their batting looks relatively inexperienced apart from Marsh and Head.
The Venue: Perth’s Tricky Record
The first ODI will be played in Perth, a ground where Australia surprisingly holds a poor record.
- Played: 3 ODIs
- Lost all 3 (to England, South Africa, and Pakistan)
India, meanwhile, has never played an ODI in Perth, making this a neutral challenge for both teams.
What to Expect: Key Storylines
All eyes will be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — how they adapt after the break and perform in Australian conditions.
It will also be fascinating to see how Shubman Gill handles leadership alongside senior stars. His decision-making will be tested, especially balancing respect for veterans with his authority as captain.
With Gautam Gambhir as head coach, India’s dressing room atmosphere is expected to be disciplined yet encouraging. His experience, combined with the wisdom of Rohit and Kohli, could create a balanced team culture.
Australia’s Challenges and Future Prospects
Australia enters the match with a young and relatively untested side. Their focus might already be on the upcoming Ashes, making them cautious with key players. Once Zampa and Inglis return for the second ODI, the team will look stronger.
Final Thoughts: Who’s the Favorite?
Even though the match is in Australian conditions, India enters as the clear favorite due to form and experience. However, Australia has a reputation for fighting hard regardless of circumstances — expect a thrilling contest.
Personally, the excitement lies in Virat Kohli’s return — seeing him back on the field is the moment fans worldwide have been waiting for. The first ODI on the 19th promises to be electric.
