With India\u2019s ace cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma returning to action, the visitors will be hoping to clinch the three-match bilateral series to mark Shubman Gill\u2019s maiden series victory as the captain of the side.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mitch Marsh is leading Australia in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, who was ruled out owing to a stress fracture in his back.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Upon winning the toss, Marsh said, \u201cLooks like a pretty good wicket. Hopefully it's fast. It's always a huge honour leading your country. Hope we get off to a good start. The morale is great. We have some good young players. Seven batters, one wicketkeeper and four bowlers.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Leading the side in his first assignment as an ODI captain, Gill said, \u201cWe would have bowled first as well. It's all about getting mentally ready. We are in a good mental place. The practice sessions help. We have a great combination. Nitish Reddy makes his debut, we are going with three fast bowlers and three all-rounders.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The head-to-head between the two teams since 2020 has been close, with Australia winning seven games and India just ahead with eight wins.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The two sides last faced off in an ODI during the Champions Trophy 2025, where India defeated Australia in the tournament\u2019s semi-final to seal their spot in the final before eventually clinching the trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India have won only one ODI bilateral series in Australia before, when they beat the Men in Yellow 2-1 by clinching back-to-back wins in the second and third games after losing the series opener.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Playing XIs<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India have won only one ODI bilateral series in Australia before, when they beat the Men in Yellow 2-1 by clinching back-to-back wins in the second and third games after losing the series opener.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Matthew Short, Josh Philippe (wk), Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood<\/p>\r\n\r\n