AUS vs IND: India’s strongest predicted playing XI for first ODI vs Australia

India will take on Australia in the first ODI of the three-match series, starting on Sunday, October 19, in Perth. The series will mark the international comeback for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as they set foot for the first time since the conclusion of the ICC Champions Trophy in March 2025.

On that note, let’s take a look at India’s predicted strongest playing XI for the first ODI against Australia.

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will continue to be the openers of the side. Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul will be a part of the middle order, with Rahul taking the wicketkeeping gloves. 

Rohit Sharma has an exceptional record against Australia in ODIs, scoring 2,407 runs in 46 ODI innings, including 8 centuries and 9 half-centuries. On the other hand, Virat Kohli has accumulated 2,451 runs in 48 innings, also with 8 centuries and 15 half-centuries to his name.

Later, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Axar Patel will be a part of the all-round set-up. Kuldeep Yadav is expected to lead the spin attack. Coming to the pace options, India might lock in Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh as the primary pacers alongside either Prasidh Krishna or Harshit Rana.

Interestingly, this will be the first ODI series for Shubman Gill as the captain Down Under. Earlier, he led the Indian Test team to a 2-2 series levelling scoreline against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy earlier this year. 

India's strongest predicted playing XI for the first ODI vs Australia:

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Axar Patel, Nitish Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav/Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna/Harshit Rana.

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