After unexpected flight delays, the Team India squad finally touched down in Perth on Wednesday, ready to begin their preparations for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia. The traveling contingent, led by captain Shubman Gill, includes veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom are returning to the 50-over format after extended breaks.
Their arrival was captured in a short video shared by the BCCI, showing players stepping off the plane in high spirits despite the travel fatigue. The team was greeted by local officials and Indian fans who had gathered at Perth Airport to welcome their cricketing heroes.
For Team India, the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is a major boost. Both players opted out of recent white-ball assignments to focus on T20 World Cup commitments and Test cricket, but now rejoin the ODI setup as India looks to fine-tune its squad ahead of future ICC events.
Kohli, who last played an ODI in July 2024, remains India’s highest run-scorer in the format and brings unmatched experience to the middle order. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, is expected to open the innings and provide explosive starts—something India missed during their transitional ODI phase.
Following their arrival, Team India will undergo a light recovery session before hitting the nets at the WACA Ground on Thursday. The squad is expected to train twice daily to acclimatize to Perth’s fast, bouncy pitches—a challenge for batsmen but a potential advantage for India’s pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
The BCCI confirmed that all players are fit and available for selection, with no injuries reported during the travel disruption.
The three-match ODI series kicks off on October 19 at the Perth Stadium, followed by games in Adelaide (October 22) and Melbourne (October 25). Australia, fresh off a dominant home summer, will be without all-rounder Cameron Green due to a minor hamstring strain, but will still field a strong XI featuring Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, and Travis Head.
India’s squad blends youth and experience:
While unofficially labeled a “rebuilding phase,” this ODI series holds strategic importance for Team India. With the next ICC Cricket World Cup just two years away, selectors are keen to assess combinations, especially in overseas conditions.
Perth’s pace-friendly wickets will test India’s top order resilience, while the middle overs battle between spinners and Australian power-hitters could decide the series. For Kohli and Rohit, it’s also a chance to reaffirm their relevance in the 50-over format as younger stars like Gill and Jaiswal rise through the ranks.
Fans can expect high-intensity cricket, emotional comebacks, and possibly a statement series from two of the game’s fiercest rivals.
Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has declared that India's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign is already underway,…
The cricket world is mourning the loss of IS Bindra—a quiet but colossal force who…
Tune in for the latest U19 World Cup live score as England Under-19 take on…
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has issued a stark warning to the cricketing world, declaring…
In a high-stakes clash at the Harare Sports Club, the USA and Scotland U19 teams…
In a high-stakes Group D clash at the ICC U19 World Cup 2026, Afghanistan and…