The Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson is all set to make his comeback to the ODI squad of the India National Cricket Team for the upcoming Australia tour.
In-form opener Abhishek Sharma is also in contention for a spot in the ODI squad, and he is involved in a direct clash with Yashasvi Jaiswal for the role of opener in the Indian team.
Sanju Samson set to pip Dhruv Jurel
On Saturday, October 4, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection is all set to pick squads for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, but there is no clarity yet on the announcement. India tour of Australia consists of a three-match ODI series and a five-match T20I series, and the matches will be played in October-November 2025.
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According to a report in PTI, the star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the tour as he is currently recovering from his foot fracture.
In his absence, Sanju Samson is likely to be named in the ODI squad as the second wicketkeeper-batsman, with KL Rahul being the first-choice. Sanju Samson, who is India’s first-choice T20I wicketkeeper-batsman, is set to pip Dhruv Jurel for the spot despite the latter slamming a sensational century in the first Test against West Indies.
Shubman Gill is likely to be rested
The Punjab cricketer Shubman Gill has become an all-format player for the India National Cricket Team. He is currently the Test captain and is the vice-captain of the T20I and ODI teams.
He is being backed as the next poster boy of Indian cricket, and this has led to the selection committee pushing him to play consistently across all three formats. After the IPL 2025, he took part in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, the Asia Cup 2025, and is now featuring in the two-match Test series against West Indies.
With Shubman Gill dealing with a heavy workload, there is a need to rest him either from ODIs or T20Is or both against the Australia National Cricket Team. Reportedly, the selection committee is likely to provide him with adequate rest on the Australia tour, where the teams have to play matches with a short turnaround time.
If he is rested, Yashasvi Jaiswal or Abhishek Sharma could partner with Rohit Sharma at the top in ODI matches. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been around the ODI setup for a while, but Abhishek Sharma’s recent emergence, as well as his ability to chip in with the ball, puts him on the same level as the Rajasthan Royals (RR) star, as per the report.
Hardik Pandya ruled out, Jasprit Bumrah rested,
Other than Rishabh Pant, India would also be missing the services of the star all-rounder Hardik Pandya on the tour as he is currently down with a quadriceps injury.
To deal with Hardik Pandya’s absence, Nitish Kumar Reddy is likely to be named in the ODI squad, unless he gets injured again in the ongoing series against the West Indies. Shivam Dube is looked at as another contender.
Meanwhile, the pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has made himself available for both Test matches against West Indies, could be rested for the entire Australia tour.
Also, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to make a grand comeback to international cricket on the Australia tour after being last seen in action for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
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