Mitchell Marsh breaks silence on Test comeback for Ashes ahead of India ODIs
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The Australians have not been at their very best in the One-day format since the last World Cup in 2023. The defending champions' skipper, Mitchell Marsh, who has been leading the side in the absence of Pat Cummins, has not shown any keenness towards an Ashes comeback and has been lined up to focus on the upcoming white-ball series against India.
Australia are all set to host India for a white-ball series, which has been claimed as the first step towards preparations for the title defense in the upcoming 2027 ICC World Cup in South Africa. They have already hosted South Africa for an ODI series and lost the series 2-1.
Though the Aussies have been dominating Test and T20I cricket, such has not been the story in the 50-over format, where they have failed at times despite being the World Champions. Even skipper Pat Cummins has been absent from crucial games, like the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Mitchell Marsh turns down the possibility of a Test comeback
Mitchell Marsh has been leading Australia in the 50-over format in the absence of Pat Cummins, the regular skipper who led them to the World Cup title in 2023. At the brink of initiating their World Cup preparations, Marsh has avoided a question that has been asked of him over and over again.
Counting on his spectacular white-ball form, Mitchell Marsh has constantly been questioned for a likely Ashes comeback. The injury of Australian players is another major reason for the development. Marsh was questioned about whether he had started thinking about an unlikely Ashes call-up.
"I've got tickets to day one and two. Haven't asked the wife yet, so that's about as much thought as I've given it," a smirking Mitchell Marsh said to reporters, turning down any chances of reviving his Test career that looked over once he was dropped last summer. Beau Webster has been the constant for Australia since then.
Australia to experiment with their batting order against India
The Australian squad has undergone some massive changes in recent times, as Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis have announced their retirements from the ODI format. The Australian squad has been further weakened by the exclusion of Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, and Cameron Green, who will miss some or all games of the series against India.
"He's okay, it's on the very, very minor end. It's a cautious take on it, but he's all good," Mitchell Marsh said of his WA teammate Green, proving that the snub obviously has Ashes implications.
In their absence, Australian coaches might look to experiment with a newer bunch of players who have been performing promisingly in the domestic One-day tournament over the past few seasons. A few of them are batter Matt Renshaw and all-rounder Mitchell Owen, who are set to make their ODI debut. The series also marks the return of Marnus Labuschagne and gloveman Josh Philippe.
Matt Short, the batter who played for Australia and then had setbacks in the form of injuries, would also have a huge opportunity with this development. "We know he opens for Victoria and Strikers and in T20 cricket around the world," Marsh said of Short, who has opened the batting in 11 of his 13 ODI innings.
Mitchell Marsh heaps praise on Indian legends ahead of Sunday clash
Mitchell Marsh has praised Indian veteran cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and called it a privilege to play alongside them on the field. He has named Virat as the world's greatest chaser and has also revealed a glimpse of their strategy for the series.
"Had the privilege of playing against them quite a lot over the journey," Marsh said of Kohli and Rohit. "They're obviously legends of the game, Virat is the greatest chaser ever in this format."
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India National Cricket Team Australia National Cricket Team India tour of Australia Mitchell Marsh The Ashes
