Australia will miss the services of Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc in the first ODI of the 3-match series against India. Aussie captain Pat Cummins confirmed this news during the pre-series press conference in Mohali on Thursday, expressing hope for their return "later on" in the series.
Cummins said, "We've got plenty of people at different stages," Cummins said in the pre-series press conference. "I am feeling pretty good. My wrist is all healed up... I hope to play tomorrow, hoping to play all three games... Starcy won't play tomorrow but hopefully, he'll be available for later on the series, same for Glenn Maxwell... He (Starc) has been bowling back in Sydney and all going to plan. He might bowl today or tomorrow and build up. Same with Glenn Maxwell, he has a similar time frame to Starcy."
On a positive note, Cummins himself is making a comeback to ODI fold after a few months of being sidelined due to a wrist injury, and he will be available for all the matches. Additionally, Steve Smith, has also recovered from his wrist injury, is expected to rejoin the playing XI.
Starc had to grapple with a shoulder injury during Ashes 2023, and he also missed Australia's recent tour of South Africa due to "groin soreness." On the other hand, Maxwell, although part of the South Africa tour, encountered a minor aggravation to his left ankle, hampering his participation. The right-handed batter has not played ODI cricket since March, when he suffered a fractured fibula.