The series will give India and Australia the final opportunity to test the waters before the ODI World Cup gets underway on October 5
India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was included in the 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia announced on Monday. Ashwin has also been included in the 17-member squad for the third ODI, which includes the 15-member squad selected for the ODI World Cup and his fellow offie Washington Sundar. (More Cricket News)
India captain Rohit Sharma and batting lynchpin Virat Kohli have been rested for the first two games to keep them fresh before the ODI WC, and also to test the side’s bench strength before the marquee tournament begins. Rohit and Virat will return to the 17-member India squad for the third and final ODI.
Comeback man KL Rahul has been picked to lead the side for the first two games in Rohit's absence. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will be his deputy.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s selection committee, headed by former India bowling all-rounder Ajit Agarkar, announced the squad for the three-game series, which will commence in Mohali on Friday, September 22.
The series will give India as well as the Pat Cummins-led Australia the final opportunity to test the waters before the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 gets underway on October 5 in Ahmedabad.
Spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out for the first couple of games due to a hamstring injury. His selection for the third game hinges on his fitness at the time.
Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer makes a return to the squad after he was rested due to back spasms during the Asia Cup. The development came after Shreyas had undergone back injury in April.
India squad for first two ODI matches against Australia: KL Rahul (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
India squad for third match: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel*, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj
*Axar Patel's selection in the third and final ODI will be subject to fitness.