India Squad for Australia Tour: Shubman Gill Named New ODI Captain, Kohli and Rohit Return
India squad for Australia tour announced: Shubman Gill named new ODI captain, Shreyas Iyer vice-captain. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return; Jasprit Bumrah rested for ODIs.
Team India squad for Australia tour: Shubman Gill takes over as ODI captain, with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma making their return.
Officiating under the aegis of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Team India squires a touring edition for Australia from October 19, 2023. The highlight of the series has been the appointment of Shubman Gill as the new ODI captain of India, replacing Rohit Sharma. Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has been named vice-captain for the ODI series.
Senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will enter and return to the ODI side. They had retired earlier from Tests and T20Is but had kept themselves open for the 50-over format. Meanwhile, the pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the ODI leg, while the tour witnessed the return of Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Key Highlights of Squad Announcement
- Shubman Gill appointed ODI captain for the Australia series.
- Shreyas Iyer named vice-captain.
- Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to the ODI squad.
- Jasprit Bumrah rested for ODIs.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal recalled to the ODI setup.
- For the T20I series, Suryakumar Yadav will captain, with Gill as deputy.
- Nitish Kumar Reddy included in T20Is, while Hardik Pandya misses out due to injury.
End of Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy Era
Rohit Sharma’s stint as India’s ODI captain comes to a close with impressive numbers. He won 42 of his 56 matches in charge, guided India to the 2023 World Cup final, and secured the Champions Trophy 2025 title. His win percentage of 75 is the highest among Indian captains with more than 10 ODIs.
Big Responsibility for Shubman Gill
At 26, Shubman Gill now shoulders the responsibility of leading India in two formats — ODIs and as vice-captain in T20Is. Experts believe managing senior stars like Kohli and Rohit, alongside leading a young squad, will test his leadership skills in the coming months.
Agarkar on Squad Selection
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the media during the announcement, noting that selection of senior players like Rohit and Kohli will now be entirely merit-based. On being asked about Rohit’s long-term ODI future, Agarkar refrained from giving any definitive update.
Agarkar also revealed that Tilak Varma was “very close” to being included in the ODI squad. Tilak recently starred in the Asia Cup 2025 final, winning the Player of the Match award.
Conclusion
With the start of the Australia tour, a new chapter has opened for Indian cricket, with Shubman Gill entrusted to lead the Indian ODI team for the first time. Kohli and Rohit returning to the squad will add not only experience but also emphasis will remain on Gill's captaincy and the overall preparations for India in the ODI World Cup 2027.
