The cricketing world is abuzz as Australia and India square off in a high-stakes three-match ODI series, with the action shifting to Adelaide Oval for the second game on October 23, 2025. The series opener in Perth saw Australia seize a 1-0 advantage, and now, all eyes are on whether the Men in Blue can mount a comeback or if the Aussies will clinch the series with a game to spare.
The first ODI at the Optus Stadium in Perth was a dramatic, rain-curtailed affair, reduced to just 26 overs per side. Australia’s bowlers turned up the heat, restricting India to a modest 136 for 9. The revised target of 131 runs, set by the DLS method, proved well within reach. Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh led from the front, smashing an unbeaten 46 and steering his side to victory with seven wickets in hand. The result handed India their first ODI defeat in nine matches, snapping a dominant run that stretched back to August 2024.
For Indian fans, the match marked the much-anticipated return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the ODI setup, their first appearance since the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. However, both veterans faltered in Perth, failing to get among the runs and leaving India’s batting order exposed. New ODI captain Shubman Gill, who took over the reins from Rohit ahead of this series, will be eager to inspire a turnaround in Adelaide.
Australia, meanwhile, have been navigating their own personnel challenges. Regular skipper Pat Cummins is sidelined with a back injury and is expected to miss not only the remainder of this series but potentially the start of the Ashes as well. In his absence, Marsh has relished the captaincy, and the team has adapted admirably despite missing key players like Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, and Cameron Green in the opener. Notably, Marnus Labuschagne was a late addition to the squad after Green was ruled out with side soreness, and his red-hot domestic form has pundits predicting a major impact if he cracks the starting XI in Adelaide.
There’s been another shake-up in the Australian camp: head coach Andrew McDonald has departed ahead of the second and third ODIs to focus on Ashes preparations. According to reports in Code Sports, McDonald will be meeting with Steve Smith and Pat Cummins to strategize for the England series, which kicks off on November 21 in Perth. Assistant coach Andre Borovec steps in as acting head coach for the remainder of the series. This move signals just how seriously Australia is taking their Ashes defense and adds an intriguing subplot to the ongoing ODI battle.
The squads for the Adelaide clash reflect both sides’ transitional phases. Australia welcomes back Alex Carey and Adam Zampa, both of whom missed the Perth ODI—Carey was tuning up for the Ashes with South Australia, while Zampa was away for family reasons. Their returns bolster a lineup already brimming with talent, including Travis Head, Matt Short, and the formidable pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Josh Inglis is set to rejoin the squad for the third ODI in Sydney after recovering from a calf strain, while Ben Dwarshuis has been ruled out of the series due to injury.
India’s lineup remains largely unchanged, but the pressure is mounting on their established stars. Virat Kohli, in particular, will be under the spotlight at Adelaide Oval—a ground where he boasts a phenomenal record, having scored five international centuries, including consecutive ODI tons in 2015 and 2019. With Kohli now retired from Test and T20I cricket, this could well be his final appearance at the iconic venue. “The veteran batter will be hungry for runs after his eight-ball duck in Perth and returns to his happy hunting ground of Adelaide Oval,” noted cricket.com.au, highlighting the sense of occasion.
The Adelaide Oval itself is renowned for its batting-friendly conditions. Shorter square boundaries and flat pitches have historically favored batsmen, with seamers enjoying far more success than spinners. In fact, spinners average 71 runs per wicket here, compared to just 29 for the quicks. This could prompt India to consider bringing in swing specialist Prasidh Krishna or opting for the wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav, depending on their reading of the pitch. The team’s recent ODI record at Adelaide is impressive—they are undefeated in their last five 50-over matches at the ground, dating back to 2008.
Australia’s recent form in the 50-over format has been a mixed bag, with their last ten ODIs yielding a record of WWLLLNWLLL. However, back-to-back wins have sparked hopes of a return to the kind of dominance that saw them reel off 14 straight victories last year. A win in Adelaide would not only secure the series but also end a run of three consecutive ODI series without a victory.
India, for their part, are a team in transition. With Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja absent from this tour, the onus falls on emerging talents like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana to step up. Yet, the presence of stalwarts like Kohli and Rohit Sharma ensures that the visitors possess both experience and firepower. Shubman Gill’s captaincy debut was a baptism by fire, but the young skipper remains optimistic. The Men in Blue will be desperate to avoid a series defeat and keep their reputation as the world’s top-ranked ODI side intact.
As for the matchday experience, fans in Australia can catch the action live on Kayo Sports and Foxtel, with radio coverage available on ABC, Triple M, and SEN. The CA Live app, in partnership with NRMA Insurance, now offers zero-latency radio streams for those who want to stay in sync with the on-field drama. Tickets for the Adelaide ODI are selling fast, underscoring the enduring appeal of this storied rivalry.
Looking ahead, the third and final ODI is slated for October 25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with both teams eager to make a statement before shifting focus to the T20 series and, for Australia, the all-important Ashes.
With the series finely poised and both squads grappling with injuries and transitions, the second ODI at Adelaide Oval promises to be a cracker. Will Australia wrap up the series, or can India’s seasoned campaigners script a memorable fightback? Cricket fans won’t want to miss a ball as this rivalry continues to deliver drama, skill, and no shortage of surprises.
