IND vs. AUS, 1st ODI: Hardik Pandya to lead India in Rohit Sharma’s absence

India will start their ODI series against Australia with a new captain, Hardik Pandya. Rohit Sharma, the regular captain, will be missing the first ODI due to family commitments, and Pandya has been named as the stand-in captain for the opening contest. Pandya has been a regular member of the Indian cricket team for some time, and his performances in both batting and bowling have been consistent.

The all-rounder has been in excellent form recently, particularly in the T20 format. He played a crucial role in India's triumph in the 2022 T20 World Cup, and he has also led the Gujarat Titans to a title win in the Indian Premier League 2022 season. Pandya's leadership skills will be tested in the first ODI, and it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure of captaining the national side.

Rohit Sharma's absence is likely to be felt by the team, as he is one of the best ODI batsmen in the world. However, India has a strong batting line-up that includes Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer, among others. It will be crucial for the top order to perform well in Rohit's absence, as the Australian team has a potent bowling attack that includes the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.

Pandya has spoken about his desire to win the ODI World Cup later this year, and his appointment as captain for the opening ODI is a sign that the team management has faith in his abilities. The all-rounder has been a valuable member of the Indian team in all game formats, and his performances will be crucial to India's chances of success in the ODI series against Australia.

Pandya's rise in international cricket has been remarkable, considering the setbacks he has faced due to injury. He was out of the game for a while due to a lower back stress fracture, but he worked hard on his fitness and successfully returned to the Indian team. His hard work and dedication have been critical factors in his success, and he has become a role model for young cricketers in India.

Overall, the first ODI between India and Australia will be an exciting contest, as both teams are evenly matched. Hardik Pandya's appointment as stand-in captain is a significant moment in his career, and it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure of leading the team. The Indian team will feel Rohit Sharma's absence, but they have the talent and depth to overcome it. All eyes will be on Pandya, and if he can lead the team to victory in the absence of Rohit Sharma, it will be a significant achievement for him and the Indian team.