Mitchell Starc returns to ODIs as Australia name white-ball squads for India series

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Cricket Australia have unveiled their white-ball squads for the upcoming home series against India, featuring three ODIs and five T20Is. The series will serve as vital preparation for both teams ahead of future ICC events, while also providing an opportunity for several fringe players to prove their mettle. The ODI leg begins on October 19 in Perth, followed by the T20I series starting on October 29.

Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc makes his much-anticipated return to the ODI setup for the three-match series. This will be his first appearance of the season after skipping the South Africa tour to manage his workload ahead of the Ashes series beginning in November. Starc, who has already retired from T20 internationals, will lead a strong pace attack as Australia look to test their depth against a full-strength Indian side.

Mitchell Marsh continues as the captain, with Pat Cummins opting out of the white-ball assignment to focus on his fitness for the upcoming Test summer. Joining Starc in the 15-man squad are Matthew Short and Mitchell Owen, both returning from injuries, while Matthew Renshaw earns a recall following a prolific domestic season for Queensland and consistent outings for Australia A.

The ODI squad blends experience and youthful exuberance. Travis Head and Josh Inglis will be crucial to the batting department, while Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, and Marsh add all-round depth. The pace battery — comprising Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, and Ben Dwarshuis — provides multiple combinations for Australia. Adam Zampa remains the sole frontline spinner.

Alex Carey will skip the opening ODI in Perth to represent South Australia in the Sheffield Shield but will return for the final two games. Several players, including Marnus Labuschagne, Sean Abbott, Aaron Hardie, and Matthew Kuhnemann, have been dropped after featuring in the South Africa series. Following the ODI leg, Green will rejoin Western Australia to prepare for the Ashes.

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Australia also named the squad for the first two matches of the five-match T20I series starting on October 29, which forms part of their preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Inglis and Ellis return to the T20 setup — Inglis having recovered from a calf injury and Ellis rejoining after missing the Chappell-Hadlee series due to paternity leave.

However, Glenn Maxwell remains unavailable after sustaining a wrist injury during practice. Josh Philippe and Carey have missed out from the previous T20I squad, with Inglis expected to keep wickets. The batting group includes Head, Marsh, Tim David, Inglis, Short, and Owen, while Marcus Stoinis continues as a key all-rounder.

The bowling unit features Hazlewood, Ellis, Dwarshuis, and Bartlett, with Adam Zampa and Matthew Kuhnemann providing spin options.

Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Australia T20I squad (first two games): Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

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