Reports: David Warner to lead Australia in ODIs against India

David Warner and Steve Smith – Australia’s vice captain and captain

29-year-old David Warner is set to make his captaincy debut against Indian in January next year, owing to regular captain Steve Smith’s problematic hip and knees. India are slated to play a 5-match limited overs series starting from January 12, a series of games Smith may play little or no part in.

Smith, however, is not in doubt for the remainder of the Test series against West Indies. He will most probably be rested for the India assignment to give him time to recover from his niggles before the tour of New Zealand in February and the World T20 in India in March.

Smith has been carrying a problematic knee from the Ashes series, and it is now time the Australian team management sweat to manage the load on their 26-year-old captain and trusted batsman. The knee, while not being too glaring a flaw in the Test matches, will be called upon to take more strain in limited overs matches, with the T20 World Cup the only title that has eluded the Aussies so far.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann told ESPN Cricinfo: "He keeps telling me he is 26 but [in Hobart] he was running as though he is 36. The pressure of captaincy is quite large.

"The ODIs are important to us and then the T20 World Cup so I can't see him getting a break until the end of the summer, unless we play really well or the niggles get worse. I'm no medical expert but [rest] is what they are saying. They will say what he can or can't do and if I disagree with it he plays and if I don't he might not play."

Smith has already been ruled out of Big Bash League action to give rest to his knees and hip. And from what it would appear, he might make way for the 29-year-old Warner to lead against India as well. Clearly, Australia want their best batsman in top form going into the World T20.

When Michael Clarke stepped aside earlier this year, Smith was named his replacement and Warner the new vice-captain.