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Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Players – Full Squads, XIs & Matchups

Noah Nathan Foster Fraser • 2026-04-05 • Reviewed by Ethan Collins

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 launches on November 22 with a five-Test series between Australia and India, marking the first time these rivals have contested a five-match rubber since 1992. India enters Australia aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Test series victory on Australian soil, having secured triumphant campaigns in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Both boards have finalized their squads, though injury complications and personal circumstances have already forced adjustments to the initial selections.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced an 18-member traveling party captained by Rohit Sharma, while Cricket Australia named Pat Cummins to lead a similarly deep squad. The series carries significant World Test Championship implications, with both teams fielding experienced cores alongside uncapped prospects seeking to make their mark in high-stakes conditions.

Who Are the Key Players in the Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs India?

Australia Squad Highlights

Pat Cummins leads an 18-member squad featuring multiple vice-captains in Travis Head and Steve Smith. The bowling attack retains veteran experience with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, while Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas provide fresh batting options.

India Squad Highlights

Rohit Sharma captains an 18-player group with Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain. The squad includes three uncapped players—Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana—alongside established performers Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Captains & Coaches

Rohit Sharma leads India with Bumrah as deputy. Australia employs a shared leadership model with Cummins as captain and Head and Smith sharing vice-captaincy duties. Specific coaching appointments were not detailed in official squad announcements.

Series Format & Venue

The contest comprises five Test matches played across Australian venues beginning November 22, 2024. This extended format allows for greater squad rotation and tests the depth of both bowling attacks across varied conditions.

Critical Squad Insights

  • Injury disruptions have already hit both camps, with Shubman Gill and Josh Hazlewood ruled out of early Tests.
  • Uncapped prospects Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana could debut for India based on domestic form.
  • Multiple wicketkeeping options exist in both squads: Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel for India; Alex Carey and Josh Inglis for Australia.
  • Vice-captaincy structures differ, with India using a single deputy while Australia names two vice-captains.
  • Reserves travel with the Indian squad, providing immediate cover for pace bowling vacancies.
  • Historical context favors India, having won the last two series in Australia under different captains.
Team Captain Vice-Captain(s) Squad Size Key Fast Bowler Key Spinner
India Rohit Sharma Jasprit Bumrah 18 (+3 reserves) Jasprit Bumrah Ravichandran Ashwin
Australia Pat Cummins Travis Head, Steve Smith 18 Pat Cummins Nathan Lyon

What Is the India National Cricket Team Squad Against Australia?

The BCCI selected 18 players for the five-Test tour, prioritizing batting depth and spin versatility. Virat Kohli returns as the senior-most batter, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill (injured for the first Test) provide youthful aggression at the top of the order. The middle order features KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan, with Pant and Dhruv Jurel sharing wicketkeeping duties.

The Core 18 Members

The full India squad comprises Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. This selection balances experience with emerging talent, particularly in the pace department where Prasidh Krishna returns following an injury layoff that saw him perform strongly in the Duleep Trophy 2024.

Reserves and Standby Options

Three reserves accompany the main squad: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini and Khaleel Ahmed. These pacemen provide cover should the frontline quicks succumb to the physical demands of a five-Test series. Additionally, Devdutt Padikkal was added as batting backup following Shubman Gill’s finger fracture, ensuring India maintains batting depth despite early injuries.

What Is the Predicted Playing XI for Australia vs India?

While official playing elevens are confirmed only at the toss, squad compositions and injury updates suggest probable lineups for the series opener at Perth. Both teams face selection dilemmas regarding batting order balance and bowling workload management across the extended series format.

India’s Likely XI

India’s probable first Test lineup adjusts for the absence of Rohit Sharma (personal reasons) and Shubman Gill (finger fracture). Yashasvi Jaiswal likely opens with either Abhimanyu Easwaran or Devdutt Padikkal. The middle order comprises KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk) and Sarfaraz Khan. The all-rounder slots feature Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the pace attack supported by Mohammed Siraj and either Prasidh Krishna or Akash Deep.

Australia’s Probable Combination

Australia’s first Test lineup likely features Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney as openers, followed by Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head in the middle order. Mitchell Marsh provides seam-bowling all-round capabilities with Alex Carey behind the stumps. The bowling attack centers on Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood (though Hazlewood was subsequently ruled out of the second Test with a side strain), supported by Nathan Lyon’s off-spin.

Who Are the Top Batsmen and Bowlers in AUS vs IND Matchups?

Batting Heavyweights

India’s batting arsenal centers on Virat Kohli’s experience and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive strokeplay. KL Rahul offers technical solidity in the middle order, while Rishabh Pant provides counter-attacking capability. Australia responds with Usman Khawaja’s patient accumulation, Marnus Labuschagne’s unorthodox resilience, Steve Smith’s technical mastery and Travis Head’s explosive middle-order capabilities.

Bowling Attacks

The pace duels define this contest. Jasprit Bumrah leads India’s attack with his unique release point and yo-yoing lengths, supported by Mohammed Siraj’s stamina and Prasidh Krishna’s height advantage. Australia counters with Pat Cummins’ precision, Mitchell Starc’s left-arm swing and Josh Hazlewood’s metronomic accuracy. Nathan Lyon remains Australia’s primary spin threat against Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja’s experienced duo.

Key Matchup Insight

Jasprit Bumrah’s duel with Steve Smith could determine the series outcome. Smith’s unorthodox technique against Bumrah’s disconcerting angle and seam movement presents a tactical battle that defined the 2018-19 and 2020-21 encounters.

Emerging Talent Alert

Uncapped Indian players Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana earned selection through dominant domestic performances. Easwaran specifically impressed with centuries in the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup.

Injury Impact Warning

Josh Hazlewood’s side strain has ruled him out of the second Test, forcing Australia to rely on Sean Abbott or Brendan Doggett. India’s Shubman Gill faces a finger fracture, while Mitchell Marsh’s fitness remains under observation with Beau Webster providing cover. For more information on the match, click on Napoli Cagliari alineacions títol xoc. Napoli Cagliari alineacions títol xoc

How Have the Squads Evolved Ahead of the Series?

  1. : BCCI and Cricket Australia announced their respective 18-member squads for the five-Test series.
  2. : Shubman Gill ruled out of the first Test with a finger fracture; Devdutt Padikkal added to India’s batting reserves.
  3. : Rohit Sharma confirmed unavailable for the first Test due to personal reasons, with Jasprit Bumrah assuming captaincy duties.
  4. : Australia confirmed Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the second Test with a side strain; Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett added as replacements.
  5. : Series begins at Perth Stadium, with both teams fielding adjusted lineups from original selections.
  6. : Mitchell Marsh’s fitness monitored throughout the series with Beau Webster on standby.

What Is Confirmed vs. Uncertain for the Series?

Established Facts Remaining Uncertainties
Five-Test series format confirmed, first since 1992 AUS-IND series Final playing XI for Tests 3-5 pending fitness assessments
Rohit Sharma named captain for all five Tests (BCCI announcement) Rohit Sharma’s availability for Tests 2-5 following personal leave
Josh Hazlewood ruled out of second Test specifically Exact return date for Hazlewood and Marsh remains unconfirmed
Both squads finalized at 18 members each Whether uncapped players Easwaran, Reddy or Rana will debut
India A and Australia A squads confirmed for tour matches Potential mid-series squad changes due to injury workload

What Historical Context Shapes This Australia vs India Encounter?

India arrives in Australia carrying the confidence of back-to-back series victories on Australian soil. The 2018-19 triumph marked the first time any Asian team won a Test series in Australia, achieved under Virat Kohli’s captaincy. India repeated the feat in 2020-21 despite losing the first Test heavily, staging a remarkable comeback under Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership.

This historical success places unprecedented pressure on Australia’s experienced core. Unlike the Colombia National Football Team standings, which fluctuate with tournament cycles, Test cricket rankings reflect sustained performance over years. Australia’s selectors have responded by retaining the majority of players who contested the previous series, banking on familiarity with home conditions to reverse recent trends.

What Have Officials and Sources Confirmed About the Selections?

The BCCI announced Rohit Sharma to lead the 18-member squad for all five Test matches, with Jasprit Bumrah named as vice-captain for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

BCCI Official Announcement via Royal Challengers

India named an 18-member squad for the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series in Australia, starting November 22.

Mumbai Indians Series Preview

What Defines the Australia vs India Player Matchups in 2024?

The 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy pits Australia’s veteran pace battery against India’s deep batting lineup, with both teams navigating early injury setbacks. The presence of uncapped Indian talent alongside established stars like the Cast of Stand by Me of Australian cricket—Smith, Cummins and Lyon—creates a generational clash. The series ultimately hinges on whether Australia’s home advantage can overcome India’s recent psychological dominance in these conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the recent injury updates for AUS vs IND players?

Shubman Gill (India) is ruled out of the first Test with a finger fracture. Rohit Sharma misses the first Test for personal reasons. Josh Hazlewood (Australia) is out of the second Test with a side strain, while Mitchell Marsh’s fitness remains under observation.

Who won the last Australia vs India series?

India won the last two Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, securing victories in 2018-19 and 2020-21. This marks the first time any Asian team has won consecutive Test series in Australia.

Who are the uncapped players in the India squad?

Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana are the uncapped players selected. Easwaran earned his spot through centuries in domestic cricket, while Reddy and Rana provide bowling depth.

Which wicketkeepers are selected for both teams?

India selected Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel as wicketkeepers. Australia named Alex Carey as preferred keeper with Josh Inglis initially selected but later unavailable due to injury.

How many Tests will be played in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024?

The series comprises five Test matches, the first time Australia and India have contested a five-Test series since 1992. The extended format tests squad depth across both bowling attacks.

Why is Rohit Sharma not playing the first Test?

Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the first Test due to personal reasons. Jasprit Bumrah will captain India in his absence, with the squad announcement confirming Sharma remains captain for the full series thereafter.

Noah Nathan Foster Fraser

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Noah Nathan Foster Fraser

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.