Perth, Australia: October 19, 2025:

The highly anticipated three-match One Day International series between India and Australia kicks off today at the Optus Stadium in Perth, marking a significant new phase for Indian cricket.

The match is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM IST (Indian Standard Time), with the toss expected at 8:30 AM IST.

The series is also notable for the return of batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both players, having stepped away from T20Is and Tests, are back in the national squad for the first time since India's victory in the ICC Champions Trophy final in March. This series is seen as a crucial test of their form and fitness as they focus solely on ODIs, potentially with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup.PALAY® Straw Hat Sun Hats for Women,Wide Brim Cap Beach Hat for Women Stylish UV Protection Cap,Summer Packable Travel Sun Visor Hat - UPF 50+

Australia Squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Philippe (wk), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Short, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Owen, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Bartlett, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann
India Squad: Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul (wk), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jurel, Prasidh Krishna

The New Indian Captaincy

All attention will be on Shubman Gill, who begins his tenure as India's full-time ODI captain. Though he has previous experience leading the Test side, this is his first white-ball assignment as skipper, and he will be under the unique pressure of leading a squad that includes his two veteran predecessors.

Conditions and Team News

The match at Optus Stadium faces a risk of disruption due to rain, with a high chance of precipitation forecast for the morning.

Pitch Report: The Perth wicket is notoriously fast and bouncy, offering significant assistance to seam bowlers. This could prompt the captain winning the toss to bowl first.

Australian Setbacks: Australia is without several key players for the series opener, including Pat Cummins (rested/injured), and will miss Adam Zampa, Josh Inglis, and all-rounder Cameron Green. Mitchell Marsh will lead the side, with Marnus Labuschagne drafted in as a replacement.

Event Time (IST)

Toss 8:30 AM

Match Start 9:00 AM