After regular captain Pat Cummins decided to stay home with his family, Steve Smith will lead Australia in the upcoming three-match One-Day International series against India, which begins on March 17. Maria Cummins, Cummins’ mother, passed away in Sydney on Friday after a long illness. After the second Test in Delhi, Cummins had flown back to Australia. In his absence, India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s final two Tests 2-1 under Smith’s captaincy.

“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.”

Australia coach Andrew McDonald said.

Cummins, who was appointed Australia’s ODI captain after Aaron Finch announced his retirement last year, has not yet been replaced by Cricket Australia. The fast bowler led two one-day internationals against England.

Due to injuries, pacers Josh Hazlewood and Jhye Richardson will not be able to play for Australia. As Richardson’s replacement, Nathan Ellis has been selected for the ODI squad.

Both left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, who was sent home midway through the Test series, and opener David Warner, who had to fly back home with a fractured arm after the second Test, are expected to return for the ODIs.

After lengthy absences due to injuries, all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell will also play in the three 50-over matches.

“We’ve got a couple of 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. 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.”

said the coach.

The three ODIs will be played in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Chennai

Australia ODI squad for 3 ODIs vs India: 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