BCCI announce Indian squad for ODI series against Australia: R Ashwin returns, Rahul comes in as captain

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced their 15-member squad of Indian men’s team for the first two ODIs against Australia on Monday. Experienced off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is making his return to the One Day Internationals (ODI) squad. KL Rahul will lead the side in the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma.

Washington Sundar is also making a comeback in the squad, along with Ashwin. Washington Sundar was part of the playing XI against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup finals after Axar Patel got injured.

Coming 🆙 next 👉 #INDvAUS

Here are the #TeamIndia squads for the IDFC First Bank three-match ODI series against Australia 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Jl7bLEz2tK

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 18, 2023

Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, is “hoping” that all-rounder Axar Patel will be fit for the decisive game while there is still uncertainty regarding the all-rounder’s fitness. During the dead rubber match in the Super Four against Bangladesh, Axar suffered an injury. 

Testing bench strength

With the World Cup around the corner, the team is looking to check the bench strength. Several senior players – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav have been rested for the first two ODIs.

Although BCCI has picked a different squad for the third ODI as compared to the third ODI, The third ODI will feature the same contingent that will play in the ODI World Cup on home turf, including Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar.

The match series against Australia will give Tilak Verma and Ruturaj Gaikwad a chance to impress the selection committee. In case of injuries to the main squad players, it is likely they will get a chance to play to represent the country in the ODI World Cup. Although Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead India at the Asian Games.

Beginning on Friday, September 22, the three-game series will take place at Mohali’s IS Bindra Stadium, home of the Punjab Cricket Association. The second game in the series will take place at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, on September 24, while the third ODI will be played on September 27 at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot.

Squad

For the first two ODIs: KL Rahul (c), Ravindra Jadeja (vc), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, R Ashwin, Washington Sundar

For the third ODI: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (subject to fitness), R Ashwin, Washington Sundar