India vs Australia, 2nd ODI, Preview: Aaron Finch in focus as the visitors hope to level the series

For India, Shikhar Dhawan's form is concerning and he might make way for KL Rahul.

Published - 04 Mar 2019, 14:31 IST | Updated - 04 Mar 2019, 14:31 IST

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After losing both the T20 Internationals, India made a comeback to start the ODI series on a high. The form in the fifty overs format matters the most at the moment with the World Cup not far away. India’s top-order failed yet again, thrice in as many ODIs now, and the duo of MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav stitched a match-winning stand then highlighting the strength in the team’s batting line-up.

Virat Kohli must’ve been delighted with the way things are shaping up and Shikhar Dhawan’s form will be the only worry for them now. The bowling has gelled well and despite Yuzvendra Chahal not playing in the previous game, they manage to restrict the opposition to a below-par total. The Men in Blue would hope for a similar performance in Nagpur and will look to double the lead.

Australia, on the other hand, continued to struggle in the ODIs. Their skipper Aaron Finch is struggling miserably to score even a single run and that should be a huge concern for them. On his day, Finch can take the game away single-handedly from the opposition and it remains to be seen if he will be able to get back into the groove. The visitors though will take heart from the fact that they made India sweat early on in the chase.

Team Combinations

India

India might leave out the struggling Shikhar Dhawan for KL Rahul at the top of the order. Ambati Rayudu’s inconsistency is also a matter of concern for them and they would want their number four to score more runs in this game. Vijay Shankar wasn’t impressive with the ball and the team management will definitely give him more chances in this series to prove his mettle. The bowling attack is in good form and Ravindra Jadeja doing well means more time on the bench for Yuzvendra Chahal.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

Australia

Shaun Marsh participated in a full training session ahead of the game and he might be fit for this encounter. In that case, the left-hander will replace Ashton Turner who made his ODI debut in the series opener. Finch has to click at the top of the order now after repeated failures while the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Handscomb look in good touch. The pace battery is still lethal and the visitors would be targetting to get India’s top four out cheaply again.

Probable XI: Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Marcus Stoinis, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff.

Focus will be on

Vijay Shankar (India)

It is clear that the selectors are looking at Vijay Shankar as a potential back-up for Hardik Pandya in the World Cup. But his bowling didn’t infuse any confidence in Hyderabad and more will be expected of him in that department. Shankar’s batting is good enough to warrant him a place but to match Pandya’s ability, he will have to stamp his authority with the ball too.

Marcus Stoinis (Australia)

Australia’s ODI player of the year in 2018, Marcus Stoinis is finding it tough to cope with the change in his batting order. Batting at number three, the all-rounder took a few deliveries to settle down and though he looked good, Stoinis should’ve carried on. His bowling too wasn’t effective on the day. Australia will have to take care of him ahead of the World Cup and if not suitable at the top, they should aptly move their best player to where he is more comfortable.