Predicting Australia's strongest playing XI for the first ODI vs India

India and Australia will clash in the first of the three ODIs, which will be played in Perth on October 19. Australia last played an ODI series against South Africa that they lost 1-2 at home.

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And while the focus remains on T20Is, due to the T20 World Cup 2026, Australia will want to win their only white-ball series before the Ashes begin in November. This series will also see Australia without their ICC World Cup-winning captain, Pat Cummins, who is out due to a back injury. Therefore, Mitchell Marsh will captain the Aussies, and we take a look at the predicted Australia XI for the first ODI in Perth.

Here is Australia's predicted strongest playing XI for the first ODI vs. India:

Captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head are most likely to open the innings for Australia. Both have very good records against India, with Marsh scoring 473 runs in 12 innings and Head scoring 384 runs in 10 innings, including a century in the ICC World Cup 2023 final.

Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Matt Short, and Mitchell Owen will form the Australian middle order. Josh Philippe will be the wicket-keeper for the Australian team. While Matt Short and Mitchell Owen are likely to be the finishers, Short also bowls off-spin.

Cooper Connolly is also a handy bat and brilliant left-arm spinner. Matthew Kunhemann will accompany Short and Owen in the spin department. Coming to the pacers, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will lead the pace attack, with Nathan Ellis or Ben Dwarshuis for company.

Predicted Australia's strongest playing XI for the first ODI vs India:

Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Philippe (WK), Matt Short, Mitchell Owen, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kunhemann, Josh Hazlewood.

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