India vs Australia: India's predicted XI for the first ODI

India lost their first home T20I series against Australia. The first game was a low scoring affair. Umesh Yadav failed to defend 14 runs in last over, which cost India the match. The second T20I between these two was held at Bangalore yesterday. Australia asked the home side to bat first after winning the toss. India batted really well and KL Rahul played well for the second time in this series. Virat Kohli played a captain's innings and became the first cricketer to score over 2500 T20 runs on a single ground.

We had seen a glimpse of vintage MS Dhoni, as the veteran smashed three sixes. He becomes the first Indian to smash 300 sixes in international cricket. The Australian start was poor in the big run chase of 191. Glenn Maxwell continued his love affair with T20 cricket. He became the first Australian to smash three centuries in the T20 International. The brilliant knock from Maxi ensured Australia registered their first ever T20I series win in India.

The five-match ODI series between these two will begin on Saturday. We could see more experiments from the Indian team as they prepare for the World Cup.

Let's see the predicted XI for the first ODI.

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#1 Top Order

Dhawan and Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan each were at rest in one of the matches of the T20I series. But they are likely to join together to open the innings against Australia in the first ODI. With only five games to go before the World Cup, it is unlikely that India will make an experiment in the top two. The two dashing openers are likely to open the innings for all the five matches.

Rohit has a fabulous record against Australia at home. Hence, he would use this series to fuel himself ahead of the World Cup. Dhawan hasn't been consistent in the recent matches, so the upcoming series will be crucial for him. India might try KL Rahul at number three.

As we all know India usually relies on the top three. Thus, to cover this weakness, Indian coach Ravi Shastri hinted that Kohli might bat at number four. India can't experiment this during the mega-tournament. Rahul did really well in last two T20I matches to grab the spot the in ODIs too.

#2 Middle Order

Kohli and Dhoni

If Rahul bats at three then we could see Kohli at number four. This will give more strength to India in the middle order. However this will be just an experiment, if it does not work then we will see the Indian captain back to his familiar position in the World Cup. Kohli has batted at number four before and scored seven centuries in 37 innings at an average of 58.13.

So the change won't really affect the champion player. Ambati Rayudu might play at number five as India wants a solid batsman in the middle to bat along with Kohli. Rayudu scored a match-winning 90 against New Zealand in the last ODI. He scored that when India was reeling at 4/18. Dhoni would bat at number six. He had a great ODI series in Australia. We might not see the old finisher, but he could be crucial for India in the World Cup.

#3 All-rounders and bowlers

Kohli and Shami

Hardik Pandya has been ruled out due to injury. He is expected to be fit in three weeks. Hence India have tried Vijay Shankar, Krunal Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja in his place. India might go for Shankar as he can fill the seaming all-rounder place. He did well with the ball in the last T20I against Australia. India can use him as a floater who can bat almost in all the batting positions.

India might be tempted to go for Krunal Pandya considering the fact Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not in the side the first two ODIs. So to have more batting and bowling options. Kuldeep Yadav, who was rested in the T20I series would play in the first ODI. He will be India's trump card against Australia.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami will be India's fast bowlers. Bumrah is back in the ODI squad after the much-needed rest and Shami did exceedingly well during the New Zealand series. India did enough experiments in fast bowling departments in the T20I series and it did not work well. Hence we expect them to go with their two best fast bowlers in the first ODI.