Home
In the absence of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul took the field as the stand-in skipper chose to bowl first in the 1st ODI against Australia in Mohali on Friday, September 22. Ravichandran Ashwin makes his return to the ODI team after 20 months as the all-rounder looks in line to seal a spot in the ODI World Cup 2023 squad.
India will have five changes from the team that took the field in the Asia Cup 2023 final. In addition to Ashwin, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammed Shami also return to the Playing XI.
Shreyas Iyer's match readiness has been the subject of much speculation. Concurrently, Suryakumar Yadav is on a mission to amend his ODI track record, which, by his standards, has been underwhelming.
India Playing XI
Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w/c), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami
Australia Playing XI
David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis(w), Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Short, Pat Cummins(c), Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa
Australia, meanwhile, will welcome their skipper back into the fold after a while away from ODI cricket. Despite his return, as well as that of Steve Smith, the Australians will miss out on Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc in their Playing XIs.
What the captains said?
Defending his decision to bowl first, Rahul said, "Historically a good chasing ground, that’s about it. There are a few boxes that we need to tick and the boxes that we’ve ticked we need to keep doing it better. One more challenge, best team in the world so good to play against them. They are a very competitive team so we’ve enjoyed playing against them. It's always a great challenge.
Pat Cummins spoke about his team's batting order this time around. "Good to be back, it's been a while since I’ve been back here. Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell are not quite ready. Would’ve bowled first as well but don’t really mind. It’s nice and sunny out here. Warner and Marsh will open the batting. Smith, Marnus and Inglis to follow.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
