India’s ongoing cricket transition took a significant step on Saturday, 4 October. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced Shubman Gill as Indian team captain of the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for the upcoming three-match series in Australia. The series begins on October 19 in Perth. This marks an important phase in the career of Gill and a pivotal moment for the India team.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the decision during a press conference in Ahmedabad. He cited the 2027 ICC World Cup—set to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia—as a key factor. Agarkar also noted the impracticality of maintaining separate captains across all three formats. This is given the focus on Gill leading the India team.
Gill, who currently captains India in Test cricket, will lead the ODI squad with Shreyas Iyer serving as his deputy. In addition, India will play six more ODIs over the next three months, facing touring teams from South Africa and New Zealand as part of their packed international calendar. They will face visiting teams from South Africa and New Zealand, enhancing the experience of the India team.
Veterans Rohit Sharma, 38, and Virat Kohli, 36, have been retained in the ODI squad. Rohit, who led India to the Champions Trophy title earlier this year, continues as a player. “They’re still active in this format, so we’ve selected them,” Agarkar said. “It’s too early to discuss the 2027 World Cup.” Such experience is vital for the India team.
Jadeja, Varun and Shami out
Ravindra Jadeja has been left out of the squad, with Axar Patel preferred as the primary left-arm spinner. “We can’t take two left-arm spinners to Australia,” Agarkar explained. “Jadeja remains in contention. However, competition for places is inevitable, especially with the rise of players like Gill who are crucial for the India team.”
Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav complete the spin department. Agarkar emphasised that the current spin options are sufficient for Australian conditions; however, Gill’s leadership could still shape strategic decisions throughout the series.
Other notable omissions include Varun Chakaravarthy and pacer Mohammed Shami. Hardik Pandya is still recovering from the quadriceps injury he sustained ahead of the Asia Cup final. Therefore, selectors have named fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy as his replacement for the upcoming series. Dhruv Jurel joins the squad as a secondary wicketkeeper behind KL Rahul.
India’s T20I squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, remains largely unchanged from the Asia Cup-winning side. The only alteration is Nitish’s inclusion in place of Pandya. Gill still remains a vital member of the India team.
India will host the ICC T20 World Cup in February–March 2026, with matches also scheduled in Sri Lanka. Following the Australia tour, the India team will play five T20Is each against South Africa and New Zealand in preparation.
Squads
India team for ODIs:
Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (V-C), Axar Patel, K.L. Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal.
India team for T20Is:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (V-C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.
