They have outplayed us. We were ineffective with the ball, and didn’t hit the areas. They have a strong batting line-up, they know the conditions and the angles well. — Virat Kohli 2nd ODI post match comments
Who would have guessed, the World’s No 2 ranked ODI team — India would get crushed twice by the Aussies before the beginning of the 3-match ODI series. But, they have been literally shattered in both the ODIs so far with over 350+ target given to chase, and Team India failing to chase in both of them.
The bowlers including the likes of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yuzvendra Chahal, have all been toothless even after being so successful in the recently concluded IPL. They have lacked the depth to take wickets, and have been very expensive. The batting too has been slightly old school like the jersey with lack of partnerships hurting India the most.
With Team India 0–2 down in the series, will the third match see Team India play for pride, and make no changes to the squad, or will Team India rest their key players to give them rest before the all-important Test series? That’s the most important question before the third ODI.
Predicted Playing XI — Team India
Openers: Shikhar Dhawan || Sanju Samson
Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal have been decent as a pair having given 50+ partnership in both the ODIs so far. However, Mayank hasn’t been able to convert the starts, and has fallen prey to poor shot selection. Meanwhile, Dhawan managed to score a half-century in the first ODI, but failed in the second one.
Looking at the context, Dhawan should continue playing in the third ODI as he isn’t playing Tests. Mayank, who is Team India’s first-choice Test opener at the moment, might be rested, but instead of him either of Sanju Samson or Shubman Gill might get a go with the former’s chances looking more probable.
Middle-order: Virat Kohli © || Shreyas Iyer || KL Rahul (VC & WK) || Hardik Pandya
Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya should continue being the core of the middle-order. Looking at the situation, it is unlikely any one of them to be rested. Even KL Rahul, who looks the most probable to get a rest owing to Test series, should continue as he needs to improve his wicket-keeping skills.
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja
With Hardik reluctant to bowl even though he did in the second ODI, Ravindra Jadeja is the only available all-rounder for Team India at number 7. It is unlikely India would drop or rest him. Moreover, he has been decent in both the departments so far.
Bowlers: Navdeep Saini || Shardul Thakur || T Natarajan || Yuzvendra Chahal
The bowling department should see two major changes with India’s premier Test match bowlers, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah expected to be rested. Instead, Team India would play T Natarajan and Shardul Thakur their alike replacements also giving T Natarajan his ODI debut cap.
Meanwhile, even after a horrific show in both the ODIs, Saini should continue as he can only improve if he continues playing. Chahal, who too hasn’t had the bests of series so far should continue playing unless India are desperate to play Kuldeep Yadav, which looks unlikely.
