Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to depart for Australia on 15-October:Indian players may be given rest after 2nd Test against West Indies – Report

The Indian cricket team will depart for Australia in two separate groups on October 15 from New Delhi to participate in the upcoming white-ball series. The Men in Blue are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series followed by a five-match T20I contest down under. The decision to send players in batches has been made due to travel logistics and ticket availability for the long-haul journey. According to sources in the BCCI, one group of players will leave in the morning, while the second batch will fly out later in the evening. The travel schedule will depend on the availability of business-class tickets. The team is set to land in Perth, where the first ODI against Australia will take place on October 19. This series marks an important overseas assignment for the Indian team, especially as preparations begin for future ICC tournaments. Before their departure, India will be busy with the second and final Test match against the West Indies, which ends on October 14 in Delhi. Rohit and Kohli to rejoin the squad in Delhi Former captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, along with newly appointed vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, are expected to join the rest of the ODI squad in Delhi before the team’s departure. Both Rohit and Kohli will arrive either on the day of departure or a day earlier, as confirmed by sources. If the ongoing domestic and international fixtures wrap up sooner than expected, some players may be given a brief break to spend time with their families before regrouping in the national capital for the flight to Australia. Also read: Jasprit Bumrah retains no. 1 spot in ICC Test rankings: Mohammed Siraj jumps to 12th place, Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul also rise after West Indies demolition Shubman Gill to lead the ODI side in Australia In a major development, Shubman Gill has been named the new captain of India’s ODI team, taking over from Rohit Sharma. The decision signals the team’s focus on building for the future while ensuring a smooth transition in leadership. Despite speculation about their long-term ODI plans, both Rohit and Kohli have reportedly expressed their willingness to continue playing until the 2027 ODI World Cup. Also read: Rohit Sharma credits Rahul Dravid, no mention of Gautam Gambhir: Hitman speaks on Australia tour after losing ODI captaincy Team dinner at Gambhir’s Delhi residence Before flying out, head coach Gautam Gambhir has invited the entire squad for a team dinner at his residence in Rajinder Nagar, Delhi. The informal gathering aims to strengthen team bonding and boost morale ahead of the challenging Australian tour.