IND vs AUS: In-form Kuldeep left out of playing XI

Kuldeep Yadav is in red-hot form these days. The 30-year-old cricketer from Kanpur finished as the highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup 2025 (17 wickets in seven matches), and in the West Indies Test series

as well he picked up the most wickets (12 in two matches). But despite his super form with the ball in the last couple of series for India, he is not playing in the ongoing first India-Australia ODI at Optus Stadium in Perth.

Kuldeep is fully fit, but due to the Indian team management’s decision to go with three fast bowlers – Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana – and three all-rounders – Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar – Kuldeep failed to make the cut.

“We have got a great combination of experienced players and some of the gun players that we have in our team. Nitish Reddy makes his debut and we’re going with three fast bowlers and three all-rounders,” Gill said during toss.

Nitish, who has played nine Tests and four T20Is for Team India so far, is making his ODI debut in Perth, and Mohammed Siraj is also back in the playing XI after being ignored for the home series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.

Playing XIs

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh

Australia: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (C), Matthew Short, Josh Philippe (WK), Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood

Kuldeep’s ODI record

Kuldeep has played a total of 113 ODIs for Team India so far and has picked up 181 wickets. In 23 ODIs against Australia, he has accounted for the dismissal of 31 batters. Kuldeep has played three 50-over matches for Team India in Australia and has three wickets to his credit.

India to bat 1st

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss on Sunday and opted to field first at Optus Stadium.

“I would have bowled first as well. Looking at the weather, there might be a stop-and-play game, but it looks like a pretty good surface, so hopefully we get some runs on the board,” Gill said after losing his first toss as India’s ODI captain.

“It’s all about getting mentally ready (on India’s preparations). Most of the players — we were playing in India and then coming and travelling here together for a couple of days of practice. So, I think we’re in a good mental space. The practice sessions definitely help with adjusting to the kind of surfaces that you play on. We are in good shape,” he added.