Seasoned Australian middle-order batter Marnus Labuschagne is making his comeback to the Australian ODI squad after a dominating show in the domestic games. Cameron Green, on the other hand, has been ruled out of the three ODI games with side soreness.
The India tour of Australia is not only an essential series for the Indian side but also an equally big gamble for the Aussies.
However, fate has not gone their way, as Cameron Green’s exit marks the third change for Australia ahead of the series opener against India in Perth. Previously, Josh Inglis and Adam Zampa were ruled out. Moreover, the likes of Steve Smith (retired), Glenn Maxwell (retired), and Pat Cummins (injured) are not part of the XI any longer.
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Marnus Labuschagne returns to the Australian side
Marnus Labuschagne was dropped from the Aussie squad; he was not part of the red-ball XI in the Caribbean as well. This has had implications over his career; however, like all big names in international cricket, he has come back stronger than before.
Having nudged to four centuries this domestic season for Queensland in the ongoing Shield Clash, he has earned a comeback to the Aussie squad in place of Cameron Green. Marnus Labuschagne was dropped after a miserable show in the South Africa series and was not considered for the New Zealand tour as well.
Green’s missing out and Steve Smith’s retirement set the tone for Marnus Labuschagne’s immediate inclusion in the Australian Playing XI, with two of his four centuries for Queensland coming in the 50-over format in this domestic season. He is also considered to be in line for a Test comeback ahead of the Ashes.
Marnus Labushagne has been rewarded for his strong domestic form, but an Aussie star is set to miss the #AUSvIND series: https://t.co/AkmfSSiMHY pic.twitter.com/c2O7j0dMsL
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 17, 2025
Cameron Green, the star all-rounder from Australia, who earned immense praise last month for his batting antics, has been in decent touch with the bat after being promoted to a new no. 3 position across all formats, ever since his return from injury.
However, his return to bowling has hit a major dip, as the star all-rounder will now miss the upcoming tour against India with side soreness. Green has often been debated as the upcoming costliest player in the IPL mini-auction; however, this poses a major bump on his hopes.
However, Green’s injury has been diagnosed as “low grade”, and it is hence clear that his absence from the three-match series is precautionary. Cricket Australia’s precautionary approach might be due to the significance of the all-rounder for the upcoming Ashes.
“Green will complete a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes,” CA said in a statement this morning. He is hopeful to play the next Shield games for Western Australia on the 28th of October.
Matt Renshaw is chasing his ODI debut against India
Cameron Green had also skipped the New Zealand T20I series and was already excluded from the T20I series against India. In Cameron Green’s absence, Australia would be in the hunt for a middle-order batter with bowling ability to some extent.
Matthew Renshaw, the youngster, is in the squad, though he has yet to make a formal debut for Australia in the ODI format. Having averaged over 50 striking over 100 over the past four One-Day seasons, there is no more consistent batter than Renshaw to be swapped into no. 4. He might be the ideal replacement for Green’s absence.
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