India squad for Australia ODIs: Rohit, Kohli rested for first 2 games; KL Rahul to lead, Ashwin included

BCCI announced Team India's squad for the 3-match ODI series vs Australia on Monday.

In a surprising move, KL Rahul was appointed as the skipper for the first 2 ODIs. Regular captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and vice-captain Hardik Pandya have been rested for the first 2 games. Interestingly, Ravichandran Ashwin makes a return to the ODI set-up after a gap of 20 months.

However, Rohit, Virat and Hardik will return for the final ODI match. Tilak Varma, who is part of the first 2 ODIs will be released from the squad ahead of the final game as he is a part of India's Asian Games squad.

Axar Patel has also been included in the 17-member squad for the 3rd ODI but his availability is subject to fitness.

The first ODI will be played on September 22 in Mohali, followed by the 2nd game in Indore on September 23 and the 3rd ODI in Rajkot on September 27.

Squad for the 1st two ODIs:

KL Rahul (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Squad for the 3rd & final ODI:

Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, (Vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel*, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj