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With India set to play three ODIs (Oct 19-23) and five T20Is (Oct 29-Nov 8) against Australia, the experience and match-winning pedigree of Rohit and Kohli will be invaluable.
 "India squad announcement: Shubman Gill named ODI captain; Rohit-Kohli back in squad")
2 min read Last Updated : Oct 04 2025 | 3:16 PM IST
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The upcoming squad announcement for India’s tour of Australia could offer key insights into Sanju Samson’s future in ODIs. While KL Rahul is expected to continue as the first-choice wicketkeeper, Samson remains in contention as a specialist batter.
His ODI record strengthens his case — 510 runs from 14 innings in 16 matches, averaging 56.66 with a strike rate of 99.60. These stats underline his consistency and ability to accelerate, making him a valuable middle-order option, especially in Australian conditions.
Samson’s inclusion would also provide the team with tactical flexibility. However, despite scoring a century in his most recent ODI outing, he hasn’t been selected since, raising questions about the selectors' long-term vision for him in the 50-over format.
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India’s ODI leg of the Australia tour presents significant logistical hurdles, with eight matches packed into just 19 days, including three ODIs and five T20Is — and frequent domestic travel across cities.
The schedule allows just single-day gaps between several fixtures, placing strain on player recovery and fitness.
This demanding itinerary means selectors must approach squad rotation and workload management strategically, especially for senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill.
Player fitness will play a key role in shaping both team selection and on-field plans, with the upcoming T20 World Cup also weighing heavily on rest and rotation decisions.
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Rohit Sharma appears to have put all fitness doubts to rest and looks set to travel to Australia. His recent performances highlight his ongoing value in the ODI setup and reinforce his leadership credentials.
With only a handful of ODIs lined up, Rohit's inclusion brings much-needed stability at the top of the order, while also offering guidance to younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.
His fitness and current form will play a key role in shaping India’s opening combinations for the Australia tour and future assignments.
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How do you juggle present demands while keeping an eye on long-term objectives? That’s the key dilemma facing India’s selectors today.
With the West Indies Test series in progress and the T20 World Cup approaching, India needs to strike a balance between staying fresh and staying competitive during the Australia tour.
A packed itinerary only makes things tougher, especially with injuries already shrinking the pool of available players.
The potential return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli adds to the complexity. Should the team rely on seasoned campaigners or give more exposure to emerging talent?
Today’s squad announcement goes beyond just this tour — it could define India’s cricketing roadmap for the next year.
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Topics :Virat KohliRohit SharmaIndia cricket teamAustralia cricket team
First Published: Oct 04 2025 | 9:53 AM IST
