Confirmed Lineups
India XI: Rohit, Gill (C), Kohli, Shreyas, Rahul, Nitish, Axar, Sundar, Harshit, Siraj, Arshdeep.
The stage is set for a high-voltage clash as India and Australia face off in the 1st ODI of the much-anticipated 2025 series. Few bilateral ODI series in recent memory have generated this level of buzz and expectation. In an era dominated by T20 cricket, the traditional 50-over format has often taken a backseat, with teams using ODIs mainly as preparation for global tournaments. Yet, when India and Australia meet, the intensity and quality are guaranteed to remind fans why this format once ruled world cricket.
India enters the contest after a long gap in ODI action — their last appearance coming in February during the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, the team looks well-balanced but experimental, with Gautam Gambhir’s strategy placing a premium on all-round options and batting depth. The playing XI includes three all-rounders — Axar Patel, Nitish Reddy, and Washington Sundar — emphasizing versatility and lower-order resilience. Harshit Rana’s inclusion ahead of Prasidh Krishna adds freshness to the bowling attack, while the absence of Kuldeep Yadav is notable, signaling India’s intent to rely on pace and seam movement.
Australia, on the other hand, continue to be a formidable force in ODIs. Winning the toss and opting to bat first could prove decisive on what has traditionally been a bowl-first surface. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will look to exploit early movement and test the composure of India’s top order, which features heavyweights Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli alongside captain Gill. With both teams boasting power-packed line-ups and plenty of all-round depth, this opening match promises to set the tone for a thrilling series.
As fans tune in, anticipation is sky-high. The contest isn’t just about the result — it’s about rediscovering the magic of ODI cricket, where patience, strategy, and adaptability collide with raw talent and aggression. If the build-up is anything to go by, this India vs Australia ODI could be a reminder that the 50-over game is far from fading — it’s evolving, and it still has stories left to tell.