Kohli and Rohit Reunite as Gill Steers Revamped India in First ODI Clash Against Australia

Shubman Gill is set to make his debut as a full-time One-Day International (ODI) captain in the series opener against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, drawing attention even as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to the Indian team.

The Veteran Comeback

Kohli and Rohit are back for their first ODI match since the Champions Trophy final in March, marking the first time they are playing under a different captain in nine years since a series against New Zealand. During their absence, India experimented with new team combinations both at home and abroad, building a younger team core.

Both veterans have been preparing rigorously for their return. Rohit appears notably leaner, having trained in Bengaluru, while Kohli has privately worked in London to regain match fitness. After a long hiatus since their last competitive play in the Indian Premier League (IPL), they face the challenge of quickly regaining form against the familiar and formidable Australian team.

Rohit will join the team solely as a senior player, without captaincy responsibilities for the first time in years. Chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, stated that the team management will evaluate roles following this series.

Gill Steps Up

The future rests with the 26-year-old Gill. Leading a mostly settled team that still looks to Rohit and Kohli for guidance, Gill is set for a leadership trial, having already proven himself as a batter overseas. With India boasting a 75% ODI win record under Rohit, Gill faces a tough first test against a Mitchell Marsh-led Australia, even in Pat Cummins’ absence.

Team Line-up

Gill and Rohit are likely to continue as the opening pair, with Yashasvi Jaiswal as backup. Kohli will likely bat at No. 3, followed by Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, who will also handle wicketkeeping duties. Nitish Kumar Reddy might debut as an all-rounder, stepping in for Hardik Pandya.

In the bowling department, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna are contenders to join Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh, while Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will handle spin responsibilities. Australia’s strategy will revolve around Cooper Connolly, Marnus Labuschagne, and Matthew Renshaw, supporting Marsh and Travis Head.

Pitch and Conditions

Recent ODIs at Optus Stadium have not been favorable for batters, with Australia posting low totals of 152 and 140 in their last two matches there. The host has lost all three of its ODIs at this ground. The drop-in pitch typically offers something for both pacers and spinners, but with expected rain, weather conditions may be a bigger factor than the pitch itself.

Teams

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc.

India: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Match begins at 9 a.m. IST.

Published on Oct 18, 2025