NEW DELHI: Australia’s Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins will miss the upcoming white-ball series against India due to injury concerns. Ahead of the first ODI at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, October 19, Cummins shared his all-time India-Australia combined ODI XI with Star Sports, featuring eight retired Australian players and three retired Indian players.The 32-year-old pacer from New South Wales has not played competitively since facing the West Indies in July 2025. He is also expected to miss the first Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series against England in Perth.In his combined XI, Cummins partnered Sachin Tendulkar and David Warner as openers, followed by Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, Shane Watson and Michael Bevan in the batting order. Steve Smith, who won two ODI World Cups with Australia in 2015 and 2023, retired from 50-over cricket in March 2025 after Australia failed to reach the final of the ICC Champions Trophy.Cummins chose MS Dhoni as the wicketkeeper and Shane Warne as the specialist spinner. For the fast attack, he chose Brett Lee, Zaheer Khan and Glenn McGrath.Pat Cummins’ all-time India-Australia ODI XI:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| David Warner | Drummer (opener) |
| Sachin Tendulkar | Drummer (opener) |
| Ricky Ponting | Drummer |
| Steve Smith | Drummer |
| Shane Watson | Versatile |
| Michael Bevan | Drummer |
| Ms Dona | Wicketkeeper |
| Shane Warne | Spinner |
| Brett Lee | Quick Launcher |
| Zaheer Khan | Quick Launcher |
| Glenn McGrath | Quick Launcher |
In Cummins’ absence, Mitchell Starc will lead Australia’s bowling attack in the three-match ODI series against India, supported by Josh Hazlewood. Starc’s last ODI appearance came against Pakistan at Adelaide Oval on November 8, 2024. After his recent T20I retirement, he will also miss the upcoming five-match T20I series which begins on October 29 in Hobart.All-rounder Mitchell Marsh will captain the ODI and T20I teams in Cummins’ absence. Marsh has been in excellent form and recently won the Player of the Series award during the three-match T20I series against New Zealand. Cummins had earlier led Australia to victory in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
