The pace bowler has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's selection chief George Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in this winter's historic rivalry.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on November 21 in Western Australia.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about his chances of participating.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and various factors involved, aside from his injury, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a key capacity. Ideally from the opening match. If not, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after examinations confirmed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of back injuries, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from several home seasons in four years.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the series.
Bailey noted that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and confirmed that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the initial game as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches anyway. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for another day, we opted to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
The Historic Rivalry
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
