Predicting India's playing XI for the 2nd ODI vs Australia

After losing the series opener in Perth, Team India will play Australia in a crucial second ODI at the Adelaide Oval on October 23, 2025. As India attempts to recover with significant changes to the playing XI, Shubman Gill's captaincy will be scrutinised.

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India had a difficult start to the ODI series. In Perth, where Australia easily won by seven wickets with little effort, the team appeared disoriented. Despite the pitch's shortcomings, it was difficult to defend the batting collapse. Only Axar Patel (31) and KL Rahul (38) were able to persevere. The innings ended at 136 for nine in 26 overs when everyone else fell cheaply. Australia was never going to be troubled by that score.

India's captain, Shubman Gill, will continue to open the innings with previous captain Rohit Sharma, and they have no plans to switch up their opening duo. Interestingly, neither Rohit nor Gill gave India a strong start in the first ODI, but they will be hoping to improve in Adelaide.

India has a star-studded middle-order batting lineup that includes KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Virat Kohli. Iyer may be seen taking command at number four, while Kohli is probably going to stay batting at number three. When Rahul bats at number five, he will also try to make a big knock.

Kuldeep Yadav, a 30-year-old spinner from Kanpur, was benched by the Indian team management for the opening game, but he is expected to return for the second. However, it will be interesting to watch who gives him space. Although Washington Sundar is currently the clear pick, it wouldn't be shocking if Nitish Kumar Reddy was excluded in order to make room for Kuldeep.

In addition to other adjustments, Harshit Rana's position is being scrutinised. The Delhi-based bowler came under heavy fire from supporters and experts after failing to perform in the first ODI with both the bat and the ball. Additionally, he could be benched for Prasidh Krishna as he is expected to extract good pace and bounce off the Australian pitches and do well.

India’s probable XI for the second ODI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Nitish Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

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