Steve Smith to lead in India ODIs as Pat Cummins remains at home

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Steve Smith will continue leading the Australian team in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins in the upcoming ODI series against India which starts from March 17. Cummins, whose mother died recently, continues to remain in Australia.

Smith led Australia in the last two Tests against India. He led Australia to a nine-wicket win in Indore and then a draw in the fourth and last Test in Ahmedabad. He was praised for his bowling changes and field placement. Post the Indore Test, he admitted that India was his favourite country to captain.

Steve Smith to lead India

"Pat won’t be coming back, he’s still taking care of what’s happened back home. Our thoughts are with Pat and his family as they go through that grieving process," head coach Andrew McDonald said.

Further, McDonald confirmed David Warner will return to the side after missing the final two Tests due to a fractured elbow. However, Australia will be without pacers Josh Hazlewood and Jhye Richardson. Nathan Elli has replaced Richardson in the squad.

Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar has returned after being sent home midway through the Border-Gavaskar Series. The series also marks the returns of Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh from serious injuries.

The series is important considering that India host the 50-over World Cup later this year.

"We've got a couple conversations around the balance of the team we want to play, we've gone in with a structure with eight batters to bat a little bit deeper, we've tried that," McDonald added.

"So there'll be a mix of combinations as we lead into the World Cup.

"(There is) a lot of allrounders picked in the squad and can they all play in the one team. So we've got to answer a few of those questions."

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa