India vs Australia, 2020: 3rd ODI – India’s Predicted Playing XI

The three-match ODI series between India and Australia is set for a thrilling finish. To start with, Aaron Finch and Co slapped the hosts with a 10-wicket defeat at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. However, the Men in blue didn’t give up the ghost and came out firing on all cylinders in the second match at the SCA Stadium in Rajkot.

Virat Kohli’s men stormed to a comprehensive win by 36 runs. Most importantly, they drew level in the series. After the riveting encounters, both teams have all to play for in the series-deciding contest on Sunday, January 19 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Going into the match, India have plenty of thinking to do and also have a few other issues to deal with. Bengaluru has dished out batting belters and a high-scoring game seems to be in the offing.

In the article, let’s take a look at India’s Predicted XI for the third ODI: –

Openers (Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan)

Both Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have injury concerns going into the decider. Rohit injured his shouldered while fielding, but later it was learned that he didn’t have a tear and is likely to be fit. Dhawan, on the other hand, copped a blow on the ribs by a bouncer from fast bowler Pat Cummins.

The southpaw carried on after getting treatment, but didn’t come out in the second innings. There isn’t any official update on them and hence, they are mostly likely to take the field on Sunday. Dhawan has had an incredible outing thus far.

He is the leading run-scorer of the series with 170 runs at an average of 85. For Rohit, he faltered in the Mumbai ODI and made a decent comeback in Rajkot with 42. He was also involved in an 81-run stand for the opening wicket that set the platform.

Middle-order (Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Manish Pandey)

Rishabh Pant developed concussion in the first ODI and was ruled out of the previous game. There’s no update on his fitness for the time being. If he doesn’t play then Rahul is likely to don the keeping gloves. Rahul was more than decent last time around, taking two catches and effecting Aaron Finch’s stumping.

Even with the bat in hand, he is in pretty good rhythm, having scored 127 runs at 63.50. Virat Kohli returned to his number three position in the last ODI and looked at his best. With 98 runs under his belt, Kohli would love to play out Adam Zampa, who has dismissed him five times in 12 ODIs.

The series hasn’t been a happy ride for Shreyas Iyer though. He has managed a mere 11 runs and the next game is a chance for him to make amends. Manish Pandey is likely to be persisted with.

All-rounder (Ravindra Jadeja)

Ravindra Jadeja has had a reasonable, not outstanding, series as the first-choice all-rounder. In both the matches, he scored in the 20s, but couldn’t cash in and convert the starts. Nevertheless, with the ball, he came into his own after a rusty outing in Mumbai. The spinner picked up Aaron Finch and then got rid of Marnus Labuschagne after the latter put on a 96-run stand with Steve Smith.

Bowlers (Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah)

The specialist bowlers also made a strong comeback in Rajkot. After they failed to get even a single wicket in Mumbai, at the SCA Stadium, they managed to bowl the opposition out. Jasprit Bumrah has only one wicket to show for his efforts, but he has the best economy rate of 5.07.

Mohammed Shami needs to work on his economy of 7.64, albeit the pacer has three wickets in his kitty. Navdeep Saini replaced Shardul Thakur in the eleven and he didn’t disappoint. The speedster nipped out Ashton Agar and Mitchell Starc to give a good account of himself.

Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav also impressed in the Rajkot ODI. He delivered the jolts in the middle order, dismissing Alex Carey and an ominous-looking Smith in the same over. The spell of bowling turned the tide in India’s favour.