Dhoni named by India for Australia ODIs

Legendary wicketkeeper MS Dhoni has been named in India's squad for the Gillette one-day international series against Australia.

Dhoni was a notable omission for India's T20 campaign against Australia that preceded the ongoing Domain Test series, but fears he could miss the ODIs were put to bed by the BCCI on Christmas Eve.

The Indian board confirmed their 16-man squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia beginning January 12 as well as an ensuing five-match one-day series in New Zealand.

Virat Kohli will lead the side in matches in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne.  

India’s squad for ODI series against Australia and New Zealand: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami

India’s squad for T20I series against New Zealand: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed.

Allrounder Hardik Pandya, who is in the mix to play in the Boxing Day Test, also returns to India's ODI squad after missing their most recent 50-over campaign at home to the West Indies.

The rest of the squad is largely settled, with star opener Rohit Sharma, paceman Jasprit Bumrah and ace spinner Kuldeep Yadav all included.

Australia are expected to name their ODI squad in the coming weeks with the series looming as a key test ahead of next year's World Cup in the United Kingdom.

The Aussies have lost their five bilateral 50-over series and have just 13 matches until they begin their title defence in June.

India sit second on the ICC's ODI rankings just below trailblazers England, while Australia have slumped to sixth below New Zealand (third), South Africa (fourth) and Pakistan (fifth).

India Tour of Australia 2018-19

Gillette T20s v India

First T20: Australia won by four runs (DLS method)

Second T20: No result

Third T20: India won by six wickets

Domain Tests v India

First Test: India won by 31 runs

Second Test: December 14-18, Perth Stadium

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 3-7, SCG

Gillette ODI Series v India

First ODI: January 12, SCG (D/N)

Second ODI: January 15, Adelaide Oval (D/N)

Third ODI: January 18, MCG (D/N)