Australia arrive for the ODI series with a familiar twinkle in their eye – one that manages to silence the noise. And this time the noise is deafening. The return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has sent a wave of excitement across India, but Mitchell Marsh and his men know exactly how to spoil the celebration.
This is not new territory for Australia. They built their legacy on unsettling heroes and thriving in a hostile atmosphere. With a fast battery firing on all cylinders, a fearless middle order and a captain who relishes the big moments, they will have a chance to turn India’s big comeback into another Australian master class.
Can Australia expose the cracks beneath India’s scintillating comeback? Will they target Kohli in the early stages, test Rohit’s patience and take control before the crowd settles down?
Aussies aren’t just here to compete – they’re here to dominate. And if they succeed, India’s comeback party could be over before it’s even started.
Can Travis Head get going?
Travis Head remains the most effective weapon in Australia’s arsenal as they prepare to take on India in the ODI series. Few batsmen in recent years have troubled India as much as Head – fearless at the top, fluent in the offside and relentless once he finds his rhythm. His record speaks volumes: 345 runs in 10 ODIs against India at an average of 42.66 and a strike rate of over 100. But the numbers only scratch the surface.
The defining chapter of his threat came in the 2023 World Cup finals in Ahmedabad. With Australia reeling at 47 for 3, Head launched a breathtaking counter-attack, smashing 137 off 120 balls to silence a packed stadium and lead his team to a sixth World Cup title. This shift captured his essence – bold, unflappable and destructive under pressure.
Australia will once again look to their energetic opener to set the tone. If Head finds an early flow, India’s plans could quickly unravel. His retention could decide the series.
Starc, Hazlewood key for Australia
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are at the heart of Australia’s bowling plan for the ODI series. With Pat Cummins sidelined, the responsibility to lead the attack falls squarely on the seasoned duo.
Ever the craftsman, Hazlewood epitomizes control – his ability to land the ball on a dime and generate enough movement makes him a calming force in a storm. He brings rhythm and restraint, the kind of consistency that allows others to attack around him.
Starc, meanwhile, is the fire for Hazlewood’s ice. Its return to ODIs – after last featuring in November 2024 – adds intrigue to the competition. Few bowlers have troubled India as often as he has, with 30 wickets in 19 ODIs, including two five-wicket hauls. His pace, swing and timely strike ability make him a real match winner.
Together they offer balance: Hazlewood’s control complements Starc’s aggression. If the two click in tandem, Australia’s bowling could dictate the pace of the series – and rattle India’s much-vaunted top order.
Adam Žampa, a huge threat
Adam Zampa could prove to be India’s biggest headache in the ODI series. Although he will miss the series opener in Perth, the arrival of the Aussie for the second and third ODIs promises to be fireworks. Jampa has long plagued Indian batsmen and holds the record for most wickets by an Australian spinner in ODIs against India – 37 scalps from 24 matches at an economy of 5.63.
His knack for breaking partnerships at crucial moments makes him a constant threat and he seems particularly keen to dismiss Virat Kohli, having done so nine times in international cricket – third among all spinners behind only Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali.
As the series develops, Zampa’s guile and experience may prove decisive. India’s top order will need to dig deep and adapt quickly if they hope to blunt the spin threat and keep their ODI campaign on track.
Australia may be in transition following the retirements of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell, but with the firepower of Hazlewood, Starc, Zampa and Head, they remain a formidable challenge. India cannot afford to back down even for a moment.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
October 18, 2025
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