Cricket Australia has announced their squads for the upcoming white-ball series against India, with several key changes that will shape the contests ahead. The announcement brings both exciting returns and notable absences as Australia prepares to face India in eight matches across two formats.
Key Squad Changes and Announcements
Australia’s selectors revealed a 15-member ODI squad and a 14-player roster for the first two T20 internationals on Tuesday. Mitchell Marsh will captain both teams in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, who continues his recovery from a lumbar bone stress injury. The series begins with the first ODI on October 19 at Perth Stadium.
The most significant development is the return of Mitchell Starc to international cricket after his T20I retirement announcement last month. Starc will play his first ODI since November 2024, having sat out the recent series against South Africa to manage his workload ahead of the Ashes. His inclusion strengthens Australia’s pace attack alongside Josh Hazlewood.
Major Inclusions and Debuts
Matthew Renshaw has earned a recall to the ODI squad after impressive performances in domestic cricket. The 29-year-old left-handed batsman averaged 50 runs in Queensland’s one-day competition last season and scored 305 runs for the state team. Renshaw also impressed during Australia A’s tour, recording scores of 80, 106, and 62 against Sri Lanka A. Though previously named in the 2022 ODI squad against Pakistan, Renshaw never played and remains uncapped in the format.
Mitchell Owen is another player set for his ODI debut after recovering from a concussion suffered during the T20 series in South Africa. Owen showcased his potential by scoring a 48-ball century against South Australia in domestic cricket earlier this year. Matthew Short also returns to the squad after missing the South Africa series due to a side strain.
Notable Absences
Pat Cummins remains unavailable as he continues recovering from lumbar bone stress. The regular captain is being carefully managed ahead of the upcoming Ashes series against England. His absence means Mitchell Marsh will continue in the leadership role across both formats.
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from the ODI squad after a poor run of form. The middle-order batsman managed only a top score of 47 in his last ten ODI innings, with half of those being single-digit scores. His omission allows him to focus on Sheffield Shield cricket as he aims to secure his Test spot for the Ashes.
Glenn Maxwell remains sidelined from the T20I squad due to a fractured wrist sustained during training in New Zealand. The injury occurred when Maxwell was struck by a ball while bowling to teammate Mitchell Owen during practice in Mount Maunganui. Maxwell underwent surgery and is expected to return for the Big Bash League season.
Wicket-keeping Changes
Alex Carey will miss the opening ODI in Perth to participate in South Australia’s Sheffield Shield match against Queensland. Josh Inglis will take the gloves for the series opener and has also returned to the T20I squad after recovering from a calf strain. Carey has been excluded from the T20I setup entirely as selectors focus on white-ball specialist Inglis.
Nathan Ellis makes his return to the T20I squad after attending the birth of his first child. The fast bowler’s inclusion adds depth to Australia’s T20I bowling attack alongside other pace options.
AUSTRALIA’S ODI AND T20I SQUAD VS INDIA. pic.twitter.com/yFiT1VyCxl
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 7, 2025
Squad Strategy and World Cup Preparation
Australia’s selection philosophy centers around preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup. Chair of selectors George Bailey emphasized the balance between immediate performance and long-term development goals. The T20I squad selection particularly focuses on building combinations for the upcoming World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Cameron Green has been included in the ODI squad but omitted from the T20I team. The all-rounder will use the period after the ODIs to prepare for Test cricket through Sheffield Shield matches. Green recently returned to bowling in Western Australia’s Shield match against New South Wales, taking one wicket in four overs.
Series Schedule and Venues
The three-match ODI series begins on October 19 at Perth Stadium, followed by matches in Adelaide on October 23 and Sydney on October 25. The T20I series starts on October 29 in Canberra, with subsequent matches in Melbourne, Hobart, Gold Coast, and Brisbane through November 8.
Several venues have already sold out, including the first two T20I matches at Manuka Oval and the MCG. The series promises high attendance figures across all venues as fans anticipate the return of cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to Australian shores.
Final Squad Lists
Australia ODI Squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), 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 matches): Mitchell Marsh (captain), 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.
The series represents a crucial period for Australian cricket as they balance immediate competitive needs with longer-term World Cup preparation. With experienced players returning and newcomers getting opportunities, Australia aims to challenge India’s strong touring party while building depth for future tournaments.
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