The BCCI selectors on Saturday (October 4) announced India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series in Australia. The Ajit Agarkar-led panel removed the 38-year-old Rohit Sharma from ODI captaincy and handed over the reins to young opener Shubman Gill, with the 2027 World Cup firmly in sight.

Rohit and Virat Kohli, two of India’s modern-day greats, continue to feature in the 15-member squad as specialist batters, with selectors ensuring that experience remains integral to India’s transition.

Shreyas Iyer has been named Gill’s deputy for the Australia series, scheduled between October 19 and 25 in Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne.

Speaking to ICC Digital, former Australian captain Aaron Finch shared his early prediction for the series outcome.

“It will be a great series. It always is against India and I think having Virat back in there brings out the best in him against Australia,” Finch said.

“It’s always a great battle when you look at it on paper as it’s very evenly matched, but I’d say Australia (win the series) 2-1. Not confidently though as India are a great side and it will just be a great series to watch,” he added.

Finch also expressed confidence in new India skipper Shubman Gill’s abilities. “Shubman has already shown what a good leader he is in T20 cricket and Test cricket, so I’m sure this will be no different,” he remarked.

According to Finch, Rohit and Kohli’s presence will help the young captain settle quickly. “I think just having those guys there will be a real calmness for him as well, because it’s the ability to bounce ideas, both on and off the field, on how you want the team to function going forward,” he stated.

India's ODI squad for Australia tour: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal.