Key inclusions strengthen Australia’s ODI and T20I squads ahead of high-profile home clashes
Australia have named a strong line-up for their upcoming white-ball series against India, with star pacer Mitchell Starc and explosive batter Matt Short among the notable recalls. The series, starting October 19, will feature three ODIs and five T20Is across Australia.
Starc returns to boost pace attack
Just weeks after announcing his retirement from T20 internationals, Starc is back in the ODI fold, adding experience and firepower to a bowling unit still missing injured captain Pat Cummins. With Cummins sidelined, Mitchell Marsh will continue to lead Australia in both formats.
Starc’s inclusion is one of four changes to the ODI squad that faced South Africa last month. Joining him are Matt Short, Matthew Renshaw, and Mitchell Owen, while Aaron Hardie, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Marnus Labuschagne have been left out. Labuschagne will instead focus on four-day cricket with Queensland as he gears up for the upcoming Ashes-style Test series against England later this year.
ODI and T20 squads revealed
Australia’s 15-player ODI squad features a balanced mix of experience and fresh faces, with Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, and Adam Zampa retaining their spots. Meanwhile, the selectors have also named a 14-player group for the first two T20Is, with Nathan Ellis and Josh Inglis making a return after missing the South Africa tour.
The T20 series will serve as vital preparation for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with the squad expected to see some rotation as players balance white-ball commitments with Sheffield Shield red-ball cricket.
Selector George Bailey highlighted the importance of managing workloads:
“We’ve named a squad for the ODI series and first two games of the T20 series. There will be some management towards the back end as individuals prepare for the summer through Sheffield Shield cricket. The majority of the T20 squad will remain together as this is a key build-up period ahead of the World Cup.”
Full squads
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.
Series schedule
- ODIs: Oct 19 (Perth), Oct 23 (Adelaide), Oct 25 (Sydney)
- T20Is: Oct 29 (Canberra), Oct 31 (Melbourne), Nov 2 (Hobart), Nov 6 (Gold Coast), Nov 8 (Brisbane)
What it means
The return of Starc and Short strengthens Australia’s depth against a formidable Indian side featuring Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With the World Cup on the horizon and a home Test summer looming, this series will serve as a crucial test of Australia’s squad balance and readiness.