The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
Australia's selection chief the selector has declared that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
Speculation had been growing that Cummins might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches kicking off on November 21 in Perth.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about his chances of participating.
"We're aware that time is getting short and there are permutations at play, not just his injury, but other factors as well," he commented.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a significant role. With luck it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Injury History
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of back injuries, with recurrences in multiple past seasons leading to absences from several home seasons in a short span.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the contest.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the opener.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the national team for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and mentioned that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the starting games regardless. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for another day, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
The Historic Rivalry
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
