Rohit Sharma’s ODI Role in Question as India Squad for Australia Tour Set to be Announced

As the Indian cricket team prepares for its white-ball tour of Australia, the selection committee is set to meet on October 4 to finalize the squads for the ODI and T20I series. A major point of discussion will be Rohit Sharma’s future in the ODI format. The selectors are expected to hold an in-person discussion with Rohit, whose age and retirement from other formats have raised questions about his continued role in the 50-over game. At 38 years old, and with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind, the selectors must assess whether he is part of India’s long-term plans as a player. The team management recognizes Rohit’s experience and leadership but is also considering his age. The announcement of the squad will likely reveal the decisions on his captaincy and potential place in the playing XI. The core of the ODI squad is expected to consist of players from the 2025 Champions Trophy-winning team, including Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja. The bilateral series format allows for squad rotation and experimentation. Players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer could be contenders for the T20I team. Suryakumar Yadav is the frontrunner to captain the T20I side, with Axar Patel as his deputy. The selectors are likely to focus on developing young talent, including Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma, and Abhishek Sharma, in preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup.