Gill takes the torch but all eyes on the old guard

by Bharat Sundaresan • Last updated on

This will be Gill's first assignment as the new ODI captain. © Getty

It was the only time Shubman Gill uncrossed his arms in the 10 or so minutes he stood addressing the media on the Matilda Bay waterfront. And it came at the very end of his press conference on the eve of the first ODI. After having spent all that while with his hands tightly folded across his chest, he let them drop before casually slipping them into his pockets. It was also the first time on Saturday afternoon that the new India 50-over captain was asked about his own batting.

Till that point, most of the questions had somewhat and somehow gravitated back to Gill's immediate two predecessors. Both of whom, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, will be playing their first match for India in over eight months on Sunday. Both of whom have now retired from all other formats.

This is not to suggest that Gill's body language meant he was holding back in any way when it came to talking about Rohit and Kohli. Whether it was him raving about the privilege of captaining two of the most successful ODI cricketers of all time. Or getting to pick their brains as leaders in the lead-up to his first go at leading an Indian team in this format.

But it just was too obvious not to mention how much more relaxed he seemed to be when Gill did get the opportunity to talk about Shubman Gill.

In a way it seemed apt too. This is officially the start of a new era for India in ODI cricket. But whether it's in the way the series has been promoted or the way it's been sold, the overwhelming narrative has surrounded the two modern-day behemoths of Indian cricket.

Almost to the extent that it's overshadowed most other storylines going into the opening game, across both dressing-rooms for that matter. You are after all talking about the most prolific century-maker in ODI history and another giant of the format, who's scored three ODI double hundreds for good measure.

And with the next 50-over World Cup still two years away, the overall relevance of this three-match series does not match up with the five T20Is that will follow right after. Considering how close we are to the next World Cup in the shortest format.

More reason for the focus to likely remain entrenched on Kohli and Rohit over the next week or so. From picking up signs as to whether they could push on till 2027 or even getting used to seeing them in India colours again after what seems like a lengthy break, especially when you consider how significantly the duo have in large ways defined the last 15 years of Indian cricket.

When: Australia v India, 1st ODI, October 19, 2025, 11:30 hrs Local Time, 14:30 hrs AEDT, 09:00 hrs IST

Where: Optus Stadium, Perth

What to expect: It's not officially summer yet in Australia but it's been a warm few days in Perth leading into the weekend. There has been some weather around though and there is forecast for constant rain on Sunday. Despite a cloudy start, there was only but a slight drizzle to contend with on Saturday, which is a positive sign perhaps. There have been more Tests than ODIs at this venue and though the pitch from afar does look good to bat on, it remains to be seen if the bowlers have their way as has been the norm so far here. Local authorities have been over the moon with ticket sales by the way, and we could potentially see the biggest crowd for an international cricket match at the Optus.

Team News

Australia

All the talk around Australian cricket in the last few weeks has centred around the Ashes, and understandably so. But through injuries and tactical selections, there is a lot of moving and shaking with the Australian ODI line-up. Matt Renshaw and Mitch Owen are slated to make their ODI debuts to start with Josh Philippe, originally from Western Australia, set to return to the fold. Though the line-up does look a bit inexperienced through the middle, it's bookended in elite fashion with Travis Head and captain Marsh at the top of the batting order and the legendary duo of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to share the new-ball.

Probable XI:Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Matt Renshaw, Matt Short, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe (wk), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood

India

India are without Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya but still carry a formidable look through the ranks with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Arshdeep Singh, if he's picked ahead of Prasidh Krishna, very talented replacements.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj, Arshdeep Singh/Prasidh Krishna

© Cricbuzz

ShareTweet

TAGS

RELATED STORIES

Click here to read article