The wait for fans is almost over as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce India’s squad for the Australia tour today. All eyes will be on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have not played international cricket since the Champions Trophy triumph. After the T20 World Cup, both legends retired from the shortest format of the game, and in the middle of the IPL, they also suddenly announced retirement from Test cricket. Now, they will only entertain fans in One Day Internationals. India’s Australia tour begins on October 19, featuring a three-match ODI series followed by a five-match T20I series.
Discussion on Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy
While selecting the squad for the Australia tour, the selectors are also likely to discuss Rohit Sharma’s captaincy with the 2027 World Cup in mind. According to a report by Cricbuzz, the board will directly speak with Rohit about his future as captain during the selection meeting. Rohit has now turned 38, and Shubman Gill is seen as a potential successor, not just in Tests but also in ODIs.
Rohit and Kohli Clear Fitness Tests
Rohit has cleared his fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). After a seven-month break from international cricket, he has been working hard on improving his fitness. Reports suggest that Kohli underwent his fitness test in London and passed it without any difficulty.
Related: Ajit Agarkar Disappointed by Virat Kohli’s Silence; World Cup Participation Now Seems Unlikely!
Focus on Hardik Pandya’s Injury & Rishabh Pant’s Replacement
Hardik Pandya was injured just before the Asia Cup 2025 final and missed the match. With the upcoming T20 World Cup in mind, the selectors will carefully consider his inclusion for the Australia tour. Another major concern is who will replace Rishabh Pant, who has been out of action since picking up an injury during the England tour. While KL Rahul continues as the first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs, selectors will likely name a backup option.
Will Suryakumar Yadav Return to ODIs?
Some reports suggest that India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav might get another chance in the ODI squad. Surya last played a 50-over match during the 2023 World Cup but failed to leave an impact, which led to his omission from the format.
Probable India Squad for the Australia Tour
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna