India vs Australia: BCCI announces squad for first three ODIs

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday announced a 16-member squad for the first three ODIs of the five-match series against Australia, beginning September 17.

The MKS Prasad-led selection committee once again rested R Ashwin and R Jadeja and also left out Shardul Thakur.

After giving fine performances in the recently concluded India-Sri Lanka series, left-arm spinner Axar Patel and leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal have been rewarded with their inclusion in the side.

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"The team for the three ODIs against Australia has been selected in line with the rotation policy of the Board and accordingly R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested. The team's performance during the Sri Lanka tour was outstanding and players like Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal, who performed very well are being given an extended run and this will in turn supplement our approach, to build a strong reserve strength, as we prepare for forthcoming tours," MSK Prasad, the chairman of selection committee said.

India will host Australia in Chennai, Kolkata and Indore for the first three ODIs in the series scheduled from September 17 to 24.

Squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami.