Mitchell Starc Makes Triumphant Comeback for India ODI Series

Mitchell Starc rejoins the Australian ODI squad for the three-match series against India, beginning on October 19 in Perth. Joining Starc are Matthew Short and Mitchell Owen, who return after recovering from a side strain and concussion respectively, while Matthew Renshaw has also been called up.

Mitchell Marsh will continue as captain, with Pat Cummins sitting out this white-ball series to focus on his fitness for the upcoming Ashes series starting November 21.

Cricket Australia has revealed the squad for the first two games of the five-match T20I series from October 29 to November 8, gearing up for the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026.

Australia ODI Squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), 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

Australia T20I squad (first two games): Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

Starc will make his season debut after skipping the South Africa series to manage his workload ahead of the Ashes. He has already retired from T20I cricket.

Players exiting the ODI squad include Marnus Labuschagne, Sean Abbott, Aaron Hardie, and Matthew Kuhnemann, who participated in the series against South Africa in August.

Alex Carey will miss the first ODI in Perth to play for the South Australian Redbacks in the Sheffield Shield against Queensland but will return for the last two ODIs. Renshaw returns to the ODI setup for the first time since 2022, following impressive performances for Australia A and Queensland.

The rest of the squad includes Travis Head and Josh Inglis, along with all-rounders Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, and captain Marsh. The pace attack features Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, and Ben Dwarshuis, complemented by Starc. Bartlett and Dwarshuis offer additional batting strength at the lower order. Adam Zampa is the sole frontline spinner in the squad.

After the ODI series, Green will return to represent Western Australia as preparation for the Ashes.

Inglis and Ellis return to the T20I squad, Maxwell still out

Josh Inglis and Nathan Ellis mark their return to the T20I squad, with Inglis recovering from a calf injury and Ellis having missed the Chappell-Hadlee series for the birth of his first child. Glenn Maxwell, injured in the nets before that series, won’t be fit for the India assignment.

Josh Phillipe and Alex Carey miss out from the previous T20I squad against New Zealand; Inglis is expected to don the wicketkeeping gloves.

A formidable batting lineup includes Head, Marsh, Tim David, Inglis, Short, and Owen, with Stoinis retaining his spot due to Maxwell’s injury. The pace unit comprises Dwarshuis, Bartlett, Hazlewood, and Ellis, while Matthew Kuhnemann and Zampa handle spin duties.

“We’ve announced squads for both the ODI series and the initial two T20 matches, as there will be player management considerations towards the end of the series as individuals prepare for the summer through Sheffield Shield cricket,” said selection committee chair George Bailey.

“Most of the T20 squad will stay together as this period is crucial in building up for next year’s World Cup, but we are balancing preparations for the Test series as well.”