Australia vs India 2018-19: India's Predicted XI for the third ODI

The long and hard-fought tour winds down to its end. We are left with only one ODI to be played in this historic trip to Australia. The T20I series was shared 1-1 by both the nations while India celebrated its maiden Test series win in Australia by a margin of 2-1. With the ODI series squared 1-1; the showdown at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will decide who take the honors.

India arrived at the Adelaide Oval with a 34-run loss from Sydney. Another loss here would have ended the hopes of the series win. The hosts won the toss and chose to bat first. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami made early inroads and sent back the Australian openers within the first eight overs. Australia stitched partnerships together until the Indian pair struck back in the death overs. Bhuvi returned with four wickets while Shami ended up with three. Debutant Mohammad Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav were expensive and wicketless.

Shikhar Dhawan provided the typical fiery start but fell for only 32. Rohit Sharma showed signs of another big inning, but he too could not capitalize. Virat Kohli (104) took the mantle and steered India towards the target with his 39th ODI century. MS Dhoni with 55 not out and Dinesh Karthik with 25 not out from 14 balls, carried India home with four balls remaining.

The entourage now moves the grand venue of Melbourne. India’s last win at the Australian sporting capital against the home side was recorded in 2008. In the previous 14 encounters, Australia holds the upper hand with nine wins in their account. Another win here will complete India’s tour on a triumphant note. Let us look at India’s probable playing XI that is likely to take the field.

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#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma

Centurion from the first ODI was off to a promising start at the Adelaide Oval as well, but Rohit was snared by Stoinis. He had scored 43 in 52 balls with two fours and two magnificent sixes. Rohit had struck his signature pick-up shots and looked set to take India across the line before he was caught by Handscomb.

The right-handed opener has an astounding record against Australia. In just 30 matches, he has scored seven ODI centuries and averages 68.05. He now has a chance to complete a series win with another century. Rohit is currently the leading run-getter for India in the mini-series.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan

The left-handed opener from Delhi did not feature in the Test series and was sent back in the first ODI on the first ball he faced. Dhawan raced off the mark at Adelaide and provided the star the is known for. Dhawan’s 32 from 28 balls studded with five boundaries gave India the quick start. It also allowed Rohit to settle down without taking any risks.

Shikhar is due for runs, and the son-in-law of Australia has the perfect opportunity to make it count.

#3 Virat Kohli - Captain

Virat Kohli

Harsha Bhogle, commentating from Australia, noted after the second ODI that the temperature at one point had reached around 45 degrees. After marshaling the troops in the field for 50 overs, Virat Kohli turned to give his best with the bat. Utilizing his superior fitness, Kohli completed his customary century in the chase. The heat took its toll on him as a lapse in concentration ruled him out from completing the chase.

Kohli is already an all-time great in the ODI format. His hunger for runs, despite the circumstances, is unparalleled. There is scarcely any doubt that the skipper will be giving his 101% in the final match.

#4 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu

India’s longtime search for the number four batsman seemingly halted when Ambati Rayudu scored a century at that position against Windies in the home ODI. However, the Australian leg has once again brought his selection in doubt. In the first two matches, Rayudu scored only 24 runs which include a duck.

After choosing Rayudu for the number four spot, the Indian team management is likely to stick with him for another game. The Hyderabadi batsman needs to make this count. He is allowed to bowl in this series but his lack of control rules out that part-time option.

#5 Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik

Rusty Dinesh Karthik found difficult to get going in the first ODI as his knock of 12 from 21 balls exhibited. Coming in at the crunch situation in the second match, we witnessed the best of Tamil Nadu batsman. Stealing boundaries and possible runs, Karthik surged to 25 from 14 balls which helped India win the match. Another failure would have prompted India to opt for Kedar Jadhav but with a quick-fire knock, Dinesh Karthik has secured his spot for the third and final ODI.

#6 MS Dhoni (Wicketkeeper)

MS Dhoni

There was a tremendous criticism of MS Dhoni after his 51(96) in the first ODI. The senior batsman answered his critics in style with a knock of 55 not out from 54 balls in the chasing effort. Coming in to bat at number five, Dhoni proved to be a perfect foil for Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik. Needing seven runs to win from six balls, MSD struck the first ball from Behrendorff for a six to put India in the driver’s seat.

Dhoni, as usual, has been extremely sharp behind the stumps. This match provides him with another chance of regaining his ODI tempo.

#7 Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja

Hardik Pandya’s exclusion has forced India to choose Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal. The left-arm spinner has found his way back into the Indian limited overs setup after a long time. With India’s tail lengthening up, Jadeja is the last resource for the Indian batting lineup to rely on.

Apart from his bowling which keeps the batsmen tied up at the one end, Jadeja contributes enormously in the field. His brilliant run out to dismiss Usman Khawaja helped India make a comeback in the game.

#8 Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav

The left-arm wrist spinner has not been his usual self on the Australian tour. Kuldeep was a great success in South Africa and England but he has not managed to replicate his form on the Australian soil. In the first two ODIs, Kuldeep has conceded 120 runs in 20 overs with only two wickets. In the second ODI, he went wicketless while giving away 66 runs. This ODI now provides a final chance to Kuldeep Yadav to end the tour on the top.

#9 Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed conceded 55 runs in the eight overs he sent down against Australia in the first ODI at Sydney. He was dropped in the second ODI, and Mohammad Siraj earned his ODI debut. The ploy did not work, and Siraj gave away 76 runs in his 10 overs with three wides.

The team management will have to pick one between Khaleel and Siraj. Khaleel played in the T20Is against Australia and was impressive in the home series against India. His left-arm bowling adds another dimension to the attack as well.

#10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The right-arm bowler was exceptional in the second ODI. Bhuvi finished with the spectacular bowling figures of 4/45 in his 10 overs. He uprooted Finch’s stumps in the seventh over and struck the first blow. He then returned at the death to stop Australia from running away with a tall score.

Bhuvneshwar dismissed the centurion Shaun Marsh, explosive Glenn Maxwell, and Peter Siddle to pull Australia down from the position of 283/5. He will once again play the crucial role for India in the opening and closing overs.

#10 Mohammad Shami

Mohammad Shami

After ending up wicketless in the first ODI, Mohammad Shami made a spectacular return to the form with three wickets. He struck at crucial times. Shami first removed the opener Alex Carey in his opening spell, he then sent back the dangerous Marcus Stoinis and finished with the wicket of Jhye Richardson. The pace bowler will remain Kohli’s major wicket-taking option in the final.