Green Ruled Out of India ODI Series with Side Soreness, Labuschagne Recalled

Australia has suffered another injury setback ahead of their ODI series against India, with star allrounder Cameron Green ruled out due to low-grade side soreness. In response, Marnus Labuschagne has been recalled to the squad following a stellar run of domestic form.

Green, 26, will miss the entire three-match series to undergo rehabilitation, with a focus on being fit for Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield match against South Australia starting October 28. The injury, though minor, has raised concerns about his readiness for the upcoming Ashes series in November.

Having recently returned to competitive bowling after back surgery last year, Green featured for WA in the opening Shield round against New South Wales but bowled only four overs instead of the planned eight. Cricket Australia’s medical team had imposed restrictions, preventing him from bowling on consecutive days due to his recovery plan.

Green’s unavailability adds to a growing list of absentees for Australia. Test captain Pat Cummins has already confirmed he’s "less likely than likely" to feature in the first Ashes Test starting November 21 in Perth. Meanwhile, fellow Test allrounder Beau Webster is also sidelined with an ankle injury, though he is expected to return for Tasmania in the next Shield round.

Labuschagne, who was initially dropped from the ODI squad due to poor form over the past year, has forced his way back with an impressive domestic run, scoring 159 in his latest One-Day Cup outing — his fourth century in five innings. He will join the Australian squad in Perth after completing Queensland’s current Shield fixture in Adelaide.

In addition to Green and Cummins, Australia will also be without wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis for the start of the series due to a calf strain. Spinner Adam Zampa is set to miss the opening ODI in Perth to stay with his pregnant wife in New South Wales. Alex Carey, another ODI regular, will also skip the first match to focus on Shield cricket for South Australia as part of his Ashes preparation.

Green had been expected to gradually increase his bowling workload through the domestic season, with the India series intended as a stepping stone. However, the minor setback has prompted CA to err on the side of caution to ensure he’s ready for the more demanding Ashes campaign.

Green's absence leaves a significant hole in Australia's ODI line-up. His explosive 118* from 55 balls in the last ODI against South Africa in August underlined his value as a middle-order power-hitter and seam-bowling option.

Australia’s first ODI against India is scheduled for Sunday in Perth.