India Playing XI vs Australia: Hardik Pandya to lead in Rohit Sharma's absence, India opt to play four pacers Follow IND vs AUS LIVE

India Playing XI vs Australia: IND vs AUS 1st ODI – Team India will resume their 2023 World Cup preparations when they face off against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium. India have gone with a strong playing XI for the first ODI opting to go with four pacers in Shardul Thakur, Siraj, Shami, and Hardik Pandya. Ravindra Jadeja returns to the ODI team, and so is Kuldeep Yadav. Ishan Kishan will open alongside Gill and also be the designated wicketkeeper batter. Follow India vs Australia LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN

India (Playing XI): Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan(w), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami

India Playing XI 1st ODI

Rohit Sharma will miss the game due to a family function. Hardik to lead.
Ishan Kishan to open, opportunity for Suryakumar Yadav in Shreyas’ absence.
KL Rahul to bat in the middle, Shubman to open.
Kuldeep Yadav back in the playing XI

Also Read: IND AUS Wankhede Pitch Report: Mumbai pitch to favor batters, Check India vs Australia 1st ODI Pitch Report, Probable Playing XIs & Live Streaming Details, Follow Live Updates

India Playing XI vs Australia: Hardik Pandya to lead in Rohit Sharma’s absence, Ishan Kishan to open with Shubman Gill, Suryakumar in for Shreyas Iyer – Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates

Team India will return to the 50-over format this week as they begin their dress rehearsal for the 2023 World Cup later this year. The Men in Blue play Australia in a three-match ODI series starting at the Wankhede on March 17. In a big blow, captain Rohit Sharma will miss the Wankhede ODI due to a family function.

In Rohit’s absence, Hardik Pandya will lead the side. Pandya is the de facto T20I skipper and the ODI team vice-captain after a stellar comeback last year. The captain’s hat has revolved a lot over the last 18 months in Indian cricket, but Rohit and Hardik seem certain to carry the mantle henceforth.

Rohit’s absence opens the door for Ishan Kishan, who will partner with Shubman Gill at the top of the order. The latter has been in red-hot form across all formats while Kishan is no stranger having scored a double hundred back in December. Virat Kohli ended his ODI century drought earlier this year and looked in sublime touch in the final Test. He will be back to his usual No.3 spot.

India Playing XI vs Australia: Hardik Pandya to lead in Rohit Sharma’s absence, Ishan Kishan to open with Shubman Gill, Suryakumar in for Shreyas Iyer – Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates

Despite Rohit’s absence, KL Rahul will continue to bat in the middle order. The 29-year-old has struggled for form but has a commendable record batting lower down the order. With Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer both ruled out, the onus will be on the Karnataka man to hold the innings together.

Shreyas Iyer’s injury has opened the door for Suryakumar Yadav. World No.1 in T20Is, SKY has failed to make it count in the 50-over format of the game. However, coach Rahul Dravid will continue to trust India’s Mr 360 to deliver. Skipper Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will take up the finishing jobs, dovetailing it with their all-round duties.

Probable India Playing XI

Shubman Gill
Ishan Kishan
Virat Kohli
Suryakumar Yadav
KL Rahul
Hardik Pandya
Ravindra Jadeja
Washington Sundar / Shardul Thakur
Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Siraj
Kuldeep Yadav / Yuzvendra Chahal

Washington Sundar is also in line to feature at No.8, adding depth to India’s batting. However, a decision on his inclusion will be taken after assessing the conditions. Sundar and Shardul Thakur will compete for the bowling all-rounder’s spot. Wankhede offers pace bowlers some assistance, so both Sundar and Axar might have to wait for their turn.

World No.1 ODI bowler Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami form India’s pace attack. Kuldeep Yadav is likely to be the lead spinner, taking over from Yuzvendra Chahal. Given Shami just featured in the Ahmedabad Test, Hardik Pandya could very well hand a game to Umran Malik. Malik’s pace could suit the conditions while Jaydev Unadkat also remains an option.