Ex-India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with new ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, will join the Indian team in New Delhi ahead of their long-awaited tour of Australia later this month. Team India's Travel Plans Locked In As per PTI reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Team India will head to Australia in two batches on October 15. The final travel plan is subject to business class ticket confirmation and logistics arrangements. A BCCI source informed that the team will depart in two groups, one in the morning and another sometime later in the evening. A BCCI official informed PTI: "Virat and Rohit will touch down in the capital either on the day of departure or a day prior." Both Rohit and Kohli, who are not participating in the current Test series against the West Indies, will join the team just in time for the travel. Also Read | Mohammed Shami debunks BCCI's claims for missing AUS series, says he is fit Australia Tour Schedule The Indian side will be landing in Perth first, where they will start their three-match ODI series against Australia on October 19. The ODI series will be preceded by a five-match T20I series, and it will serve the purpose of checking India's bench strength prior to the 2026 T20 World Cup. In spite of continuing discussions over their ODI careers, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were named in the team, their first international outing since the Champions Trophy 2025. Interestingly, Shubman Gill has taken over as the ODI captain from Rohit while Shreyas Iyer has been named as vice-captain — a strong indication that the selectors are building the next line of leaders for the white-ball circuit. Team Bonding Before Departure In order to build team spirit ahead of the upcoming overseas assignment, head coach Gautam Gambhir organized a team dinner at his Rajinder Nagar home in New Delhi. The relaxed gathering gave players a chance to unwind and bond before embarking on the long tour Down Under. The ODI players currently engaged in other domestic or overseas matches will be allowed a brief respite before reassembling in the capital after the West Indies Test ends on October 14. Also Read | Wankhede to honour Dilip Vengsarkar with life-size statue Major Series for India's Plans Ahead This tour is likely to prove to be a key test of India's limited-overs outfit as the side continues to evolve under Gill's captaincy and Gambhir's coaching expertise. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli looking to make a comeback with authority, and Shreyas Iyer taking on a leadership position, the series holds the promise to be a significant step in the direction of defining India's strategy for the T20 World Cup 2026 and more.