Australia to release two debutants against Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in 1st ODI IND vs AUS
Australia will hand ODI debuts to two players in the first ODI of the three-match series against India at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, October 19. Left-handed batter Matthew Renshaw and all-rounder Mitchell Owen will play their first one-day internationals for Australia after strong performances.
Australia lost their home series 1-2 against South Africa in their last outing in this format. The Australians last played against India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where they suffered a four-wicket defeat. Notably, the hosts will be without key players, including captain Pat Cummins, who is recovering from injury.
Matthew Renshaw and Mitchell Owen set to make ODI debut for Australia
Matthew Renshaw is set to make his long-awaited ODI debut for Australia in the series opener against India. Matt Short will return to the ODI setup to bat at number three.
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The reigning world champions will test their bench strength against India. In the absence of regular wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who is recovering from a calf injury, Josh Philippe will take the gloves in the series opener.
Renshaw, Cooper Connolly and Mitchell Owen add batting depth and overall skills to the side. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann will return to the ODI lineup as Adam Zampa misses the first match due to family commitments. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will lead the Pace Bowling attack.
I believe it will be a high-scoring affair – Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh
Captain Mitch Marsh said negotiating the new ball would be crucial in the first ODI. He noted that early damage from the new ball often dictates results, while big totals tend to come later in the inning.
“A lot of times you see at Perth Stadium, he can swing around the new ball and both teams will look to do some early damage on that wicket. In the whole of the Big Bash, a lot of the biggest scores are reversed,” Marsh said on the eve of the match.
“So if we get off to a good start I think it will be a high scoring affair but getting through the first 10 overs for both teams will be the challenge and maybe where the match will be won and lost,” he added.
No real difference between opening and #3 – Mitchell Marsh
Travis Head and Mitch Marsh will open the innings, with Matt Short at third. Short missed the South African series in August due to a fractured rib cartilage and also missed the end of this year’s Champions Trophy with a quad injury.
Marsh said Short opens regularly for Victoria and the Adelaide Strikers and has experience opening in T20s globally, but the team is confident in his ability to adapt at No. 3.
“We know he opens the batting for the Victoria and Adelaide Strikers and has opened T20 cricket around the world,” Marsh said.
“But we don’t see any real difference between the opener and the number three batting, and we feel comfortable with him batting up there.
“Overall in our white-ball teams over the last 12 months we’ve seen a lot of guys get opportunities and for us it’s all about them coming on and being very clear about their role.”
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