CHENNAI, Oct. 13: The BCCI senior selection committee is likely to ring in a few major changes in the team to play against Australia in a seven-match ODI series from October 25. Former captain Rahul Dravid who made a comeback to the one-day squad after a gap of nearly two years is likely to miss out.

An out-of-form Ishant Sharma is likely to be rested and his place could go to Uttar Pradesh seamer Sudeep Tyagi. Following his impressive performance in the Irani Cup and Challenger Trophy, Munaf Patel is also expected to make the cut.

It is reliably learnt that the door on Dravid may not be shut completely. The senior batsman will continue to remain in the one-day scheme of things. He is most likely to get the nod where conditions demand his exemplary technique as they did during the Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Dravid did his cause no harm, scoring 180 runs at 36 in Sri Lanka and South Africa.

While the batsman might feel hurt at being called up occasionally, the selectors view him as a senior always willing to put up his hand when called for. Also, Yusuf Pathan who has managed only 71 runs in his last 10 innings at 11.84 could face the axe.

Ishant has been under the scanner for some time. Bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad had said the pressure of high expectations was getting to the Delhi youngster and the selectors may have taken note of that. Former captain Ravi Shastri had also called for Ishant to concentrate on the longer version in the near future.

The team that is to be announced for the first two ODIs is unlikely to have any major surprises in the batting department. Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh (subject to clearing a fitness test at the NCA) will reclaim their places. Sachin Tendulkar and Sehwag are to open, pushing Gautam Gambhir to bat at three. Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina are expected to complete the lineup.

The team to be announced on Thursday at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium will see the comeback of Ravindra Jadeja who played a crucial role in Rest of India XI gaining the first innings lead over Mumbai in the Irani Cup.

Though the team management is not in favor of Abhishek Nayyar, the Mumbai all-rounder could manage to cling to his spot as the selectors feel he has not been given an adequate opportunity to prove his wares.

Spinners Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra will be rotated during the seven-match series with the former set to make the squad for the first few games. Tyagi who had a successful tour of Australia in the ‘Emerging Series’ has been in contention for some time and furthered his cause with a stellar effort in Challenger Series picking five wickets at an average of 18.

The team think tank feels the absence of Zaheer Khan and the fact that R.P. is Singh not at his best has adversely affected the attack. While changes are certain, Praveen Kumar who had a good outing against West Indies may have just managed to hold his place.