India and Australia are set to clash in a three-match ODI series starting Saturday, October 19, in Perth. India will be eager to settle scores after their 1-2 defeat during the 2020/21 ODI tour Down Under. On the other hand, Australia will aim to recover from their recent 1-2 home series loss to South Africa earlier this year.
The hosts will also have their sights on payback after India handed them a four-wicket defeat in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai. However, Australia will be without key names — regular skipper Pat Cummins is out injured, while Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith have stepped away from ODI cricket.
Mitchell Marsh will captain the reigning ODI World Champions, backed by Travis Head and pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Adam Zampa, Alex Carey, and Josh Inglis will join from the second ODI, while Marnus Labuschagne will look to impress after a late call-up due to Cameron Green’s injury.
Here Are 3 Australian Players Who Could Trouble India In AUS vs IND 2025 ODIs:
#3 Mitchell Marsh
Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly could emerge as a surprise threat to India in the ODI series. The 22-year-old has made an impact in the limited opportunities he has received in both international and domestic cricket. He had a standout BBL season last year, scoring 351 runs in 10 innings, including two fifties, while also contributing with the ball by taking six wickets as a left-arm spinner.
In his most recent ODI appearance, Connolly delivered a brilliant spell of 5/22 against South Africa, helping Australia secure a massive 276-run victory. He also showcased his batting form during the Australia A tour of India, scoring 70 in the first of two first-class matches, followed by scores of 33, 50*, and 64 in the One-Day games.
#2 Josh Hazlewood
Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has consistently been a major threat to India across formats. At 34, he continues to be accurate with his pace and lengths, making him a key weapon in home conditions. In ODIs alone, he has taken 17 wickets in 11 matches against India at an economy of 5.41, including figures of 3/38 in the 2023 World Cup final and 2/60 in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Hazlewood dismissed both Kohli and Rohit in the Champions Trophy and has 78 wickets against India across formats. He has removed Kohli five times in ODIs, conceding just 58 runs off 98 balls, and the Indian star also struggled in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, falling outside off-stump in eight of nine innings.
#1 Cooper Connolly
Cooper Connolly could prove to be an unexpected X-factor for Australia in the ODI series against India. The 22-year-old has caught attention with his performances in both domestic and limited international cricket. He enjoyed a standout BBL season last year, scoring 351 runs in 10 innings with two fifties, while also contributing with the ball by taking six wickets as a left-arm spinner.
In his most recent ODI appearance, Connolly delivered exceptional figures of 5/22 against South Africa, helping Australia secure a massive 276-run win. He also showed promising form with the bat during the Australia A tour of India, scoring 70 in his first first-class match and following it up with scores of 33, 50*, and 64 in the One-Day games.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
