The iconic blue jerseys will feel different yet familiar when India’s modern-day legends, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, step onto the field at Perth’s Optus Stadium for the IND vs AUS ODI 2025.
It’s a narrative-rich homecoming for two of cricket’s biggest stars, returning to ODI cricket for the first time since March and now playing as specialists in the 50-over format after retiring from Tests and T20Is.
For the IND vs AUS ODI 2025 squad, this marks the start of a new era under Shubman Gill, but it is emotionally charged by what could be the final Australian outing for the era-defining duo.
The AUS vs IND rivalry resumes with Australia seeking home dominance, while India, unbeaten in their last five ODIs, carries the momentum of a Champions Trophy victory and the weight of sentimental expectations.
Table of Contents
Match Preview: Conditions, Context, and Contests
The IND vs AUS ODI series begins at a venue that has been historically unkind to the hosts. Australia has lost all three ODIs they’ve played at Perth Stadium, a record India will be eager to extend.
The average first-innings score here is a modest 172, with five of the six completed ODIs won by the chasing side. It establishes the setting for a strategic fight where the outcome hinges on the coin toss.
The IND vs AUS ODI 2025 will be a reckoning for India, looking to the future while remembering the past. The experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who ranked among the world’s top three ODI run-scorers in 2023, now anchors the Indian lineup.
Their proven class is brilliantly complemented by the youthful audacity of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Nitish Reddy, creating a potent blend of past mastery and future promise.
Australia, the reigning ODI world champions, has had mixed fortunes in the format since their 2023 triumph. They are also grappling with key absences, forcing last-minute changes to their IND vs AUS ODI 2025 squad.
Injury Report: Squad Updates for Both Sides
Player availability has significantly influenced team selections for the first ODI between AUS vs IND.
Australia will be without several first-choice players:
- Cameron Green has been ruled out of the series due to side soreness. Marnus Labuschagne, who was in scintillating domestic form, has replaced him.
- Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis is recovering from a calf strain and will miss the opener. Josh Philippe will take the gloves, marking his first ODI in four years.
- Star leg-spinner Adam Zampa is absent for the first game due to family commitments. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann is his likely replacement.
India is a more stable unit. The core of the team picks itself, with the crucial question revolving around the all-rounder’s spot at number 7, with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar in contention.
Pitch Report: Pace, Bounce, and a Bowler’s Paradise
The pace, bounce, and carry of the Optus Stadium pitch in Perth create a classic Australian fast-bowling paradise. Pacers who can hit the deck hard, such as Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh, will relish these conditions. These bowlers will likely decide the match in the early overs for both sides.
- Nature: A hard, bouncy surface that favors seamers.
- Historical Trend: Heavily favors teams chasing, with the side batting second winning 5 out of 6 ODIs at this venue.
- Par Score: The highest total here is 259, and average first-innings scores are low, suggesting a competitive total would be in the range of 240-260. The team winning the toss is likely to opt to field first.
India Squad for Australia ODIs
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK)
India Predicted Playing 11 for 1st ODI vs Australia
Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj
Australia Squad for India ODIs
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe(WK), Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc
Australia Predicted Playing 11 for 1st ODI vs India
Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Philippe (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Short, Mitchell Owen, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood, Cooper Connolly
How to Watch: Live Streaming and Telecast
Fans in India can catch all the action of the IND vs AUS ODI on the following platforms:
- Live Telecast: The Star Sports Network.
- Live Streaming: The match will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website.
Match Details:
- Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM IST (Toss at 8:30 AM IST)
Last Words
As the Perth lights illuminate the Optus Stadium, the IND vs AUS ODI 2025 transcends a mere cricketing contest, morphing into a poignant narrative of transition.
For Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, this is more than a comeback; it is a valiant walk into the sunset on Australian soil, a final chance to imprint their legendary stature against a familiar foe.
For Shubman Gill, it is the ultimate baptism by fire, leading a nation’s beloved icons into a battle that tests his tactical acumen as much as his ability to shepherd a team caught between its glorious past and an ambitious future.
The bouncy pitch, the hostile Australian attack, and the weight of a billion emotions set the stage for a classic. Every delivery will be a chapter, every boundary a memory, in a saga that promises to be as emotionally charged as it is fiercely competitive.
It isn’t just the start of a series; it is the culmination of an era and the dramatic beginning of the next.
For more, follow Sports Dribble on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
Discover more from SPORTS DRIBBLE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
