The Indian ODI squad is set to depart for Australia in two batches on October 15 from New Delhi, with logistics and business class ticket availability shaping the final travel schedule, according to sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The team is preparing for a three-match ODI series followed by a five-match T20I series Down Under, with the first ODI scheduled in Perth on October 19.
The BCCI source revealed that one group of players will fly out in the morning, while the second batch is expected to depart later in the evening. Former captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, alongside newly appointed ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, will join the Test squad members in New Delhi either on the day of departure or a day prior. “Virat and Rohit will touch down in the capital either on the day of departure or a day prior,” a BCCI insider told PTI.
Players currently engaged in domestic or international assignments, including the ongoing second Test against West Indies from October 10–14, may receive a brief break to visit their families before regrouping in Delhi, depending on the conclusion of these commitments. This strategic scheduling aims to balance player rest with preparation for the demanding tour.
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In a notable shift, Shubman Gill has been named the new ODI captain, succeeding Rohit Sharma. Despite speculation about their long-term roles in the 50-over format, both Rohit and Kohli have reportedly expressed their intent to continue playing until the 2027 ODI World Cup, even as India’s ODI fixtures remain limited in the lead-up to the tournament.
Adding a touch of warmth before the tour, head coach Gautam Gambhir has invited the entire squad to a team dinner at his residence in Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi. The gesture is aimed at fostering team unity and morale ahead of the challenging series against Australia.
As India prepares to take on Australia in what promises to be a fiercely competitive tour, the squad’s blend of seasoned stalwarts and emerging leaders like Gill signals a dynamic approach to reclaiming dominance in the ODI arena.
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