Australia have made bold changes ahead of their upcoming three-match ODI series against India, with Marnus Labuschagne dropped from the squad and Matt Renshaw handed a surprise recall. The selectors have opted for fresh options as they look to balance preparations for the limited-overs contests and the looming Ashes series in November.
Labuschagne’s exclusion comes after a prolonged dip in white-ball form. The 31-year-old was dismissed for just one run in each of his two innings during the recent series against South Africa and has managed only 47 as his highest score in his last ten ODI outings. Despite boasting a respectable 1,871 runs from 68 ODIs at an average of 34.64, the right-hander will now focus on red-ball cricket, hoping to reclaim his Test spot for the Ashes opener in Perth.
Matt Renshaw, his Queensland teammate, steps in after impressing in domestic cricket. The left-hander struck a century for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield this week, mirroring Labuschagne’s own century in the same match. Renshaw last featured in an ODI squad in 2022 and is now set for a potential white-ball debut, bringing versatility and form to Australia’s top order.
Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc returns after being rested since Australia’s Test series sweep of the West Indies in July. His presence will add experience to the bowling attack, which also includes Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, and Adam Zampa. Rising all-rounder Mitch Owen, who missed the South Africa series due to concussion, could make his ODI debut.
Captain Pat Cummins remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a back injury, with Mitchell Marsh continuing as stand-in captain. Marsh’s leadership has been buoyed by strong form, highlighted by his match-winning T20 century against New Zealand last week.
The selectors have also announced the squad for the first two T20 internationals against India, maintaining a core group of players to build momentum toward next year’s T20 World Cup. Glenn Maxwell will miss the series due to a wrist injury.
Australia’s ODI series against India begins on 19 October in Perth, followed by a five-match T20 series from 29 October. The dual focus on both formats underscores the selectors’ intent to balance immediate success with long-term Test and World Cup preparations.
