India's Predicted XI for the second ODI against Australia

After a thumping win in the Test series, India lost their flair in the first game of the ODI series and lost the game by 34 runs. What was supposed to be a hard-fought game, turned out to be a one-sided affair. The Australian camp, boosted by the joining of their senior players in first ODI were on another level and conquered the visitors to win the game by a 34 run margin.

The Indians were first hit by the Aussie batters who posted 288 runs in their quota of 50 overs. At that stage, things still felt in India's favour considering their lineup. But the Indian's were stunned by the pace duo of Jason Behrendorff and Jhye Richardson, as they lost their first three wickets in Shikhar Dhawan (0), Virat Kohli (3) and Ambati Rayudu (0) for just four runs.

After that, Rohit Sharma (133) along with MS Dhoni (51) built up a crucial 137 run partnership to bring some respite. But, Dhoni's wicket, just when things seemed like coming back India's way, re-opened the gates for the Aussies as they steamed through the Indian middle and lower order in no time and India eventually managed 254 for the loss of nine wickets.

With the second ODI coming up at the Adelaide Oval in a couple of days, India would like to level the honours to keep themselves alive in this short series. Though they will be happy with their performance in the test series, they know that one can't take the Australian team lightly especially after their performance in the first ODI of the three-match series.

So without much ado, let's take a look at India's predicted playing XI for the second One Day International against Australia.

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Top Order

#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma's consistency in the recent past and ability to rack up the big scores put him well ahead of other openers in the world. The Indian opener has been in decent form since Asia Cup 2018 and proved to be the core of the team's batting line-up.

In the previous ODI series against the West Indies, he amassed 389 runs comprising two centuries and a fifty. In the 1st ODI against Australia, he played a magnificent knock of 133 off 128 balls. He will be crucial to India's chances in the upcoming fixtures and once again open for the side in the second ODI.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan is likely to open the batting with Rohit. The opener has not been in the best of form in recent times and was out for a golden duck the opening fixture.

He might get a second chance in the next game due to a lack of available options. Despite getting a go-ahead for the upcoming fixture, the batsman must utilize this opportunity as a golden chance and solidify his stance, else he might be asked to make way for other aspirants in upcoming fixtures.

#3 Virat Kohli (Skipper)

Virat Kohli

The Indian Skipper faced a rare failure of his career and was stunned by Richardson. Kohli misjudged his delivery and clipped one straight to Stoinis at short square leg to depart for 3. Despite this one may not underestimate his capabilities and can see him come out thrashing in the next game.

Middle Order

#4 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu

Rayudu has been a vital member of the Indian ODI squad in the past couple of years and played a key role in Men in Blue's Asia Cup triumph. Rayudu is known for his partnership building skills and consistency and his average of 49.9 is enough to solidify his stance in the team.

Rayudu failed to make an impact last time, where he was sent back to the dugout by Jyle Richardson for a duck. Despite this, he will get Skipper backing for the upcoming ODI ahead of his nearest competitor Kedar Jadhav.

#5 MS Dhoni (Wicket-Keeper)

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

The Captain Cool MS Dhoni added another feather to his cap as he became the fifth Indian to score 10,000 ODI runs for India. He achieved this landmark in the first game against Australia.

Meanwhile, he also silenced his critics with a steady 51 off 96 balls. Though one may question the slowness of his innings, considering India's condition when he joined Rohit Sharma at the crease with the score of 4/3. He decided to play second fiddle to Rohit to get the Men in Blue out from the embarrassing start.

Middle Order

#6 Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik is one of India's most experienced campaigners. The right hander has played some match winning knocks for the visitors in the past and has scored 1675 runs at an average of 30.45, which is quite decent considering his batting position.

He was unable to convert his start last time, but looked good in his short innings of 13, The batsman is likely to get another chance to prove his stance.

#7 Ravindra Jadeja (All-rounder)

Ravindra Jadeja

After the exclusion of Hardik Pandya, India lacks an all-rounder option in this area. As a result, they are left with no other option except Ravindra Jadeja. He has been a key figure in the Indian team and proved his worth on each and every opportunity he got.

The all-rounder can play crucial roles in both departments either batting or bowling and was among wickets in first ODI against Australia. He picked up a crucial wicket of dangerous Usman Khawaja to end with economical figures of 1/46 in ten overs.

He failed to replicate his bowling success in batting and threw away his wicket at eight. Despite this, he is likely to get a go ahead for the second game on the basis of his experience and lack of options.

Lower Order / Bowlers

#8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of India's frontline pacers, with the ability to thrash any lineup under any circumstances. The pacer picked up two wickets in his previous outings against the same opponents. There are rare chances when this guy is not among wickets and once again be their major pace weapon against the Australian side in second ODI.

#9 Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav was the leading wicket-taker with nine wickets in the previous series against the Caribbeans and continued his journey in Australia with the same enthusiasm and was the pick of the lot in opening ODI with figures of 2/54.

While considering the Aussie batsmen's weakness against quality spin attack, The left-arm Chinaman, Kuldeep is set to be included in the second ODI. He would look to create havoc in the Australian batting in next fixture.

Lower Order / Bowlers

#10 Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami

Shami is one of India's best bowlers in the International Arena. He was included in the ODI squad on the basis of his performance in test series. Though he failed to pick wickets in the first ODI, he was the most economical of the lot with figures of 0/46 in his quota of ten overs. The bowler was not an easy hit for the Aussies and he is likely to keep his place on the basis of his experience and Jasprit Bumrah's absence.

He has been clinical on this tour so far and will look to clinch some early scalps in the second ODI and continue to rattle the opposition with his pace and swing.

#11 Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal has been among key wicket takers for India in ODI's and has picked up 56 wickets in his initial career of 34 games. The spinner is capable of providing crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs and can contribute more to the team's cause in the upcoming ODI.

With Khaleel Ahmad going wicketless in the opening encounter and ending with expensive figures of 0/55 in eight overs. He might not get a go ahead if the Skipper decides to go with additional spin else Mohamad Siraj is another volunteer in case they decide to replace pace with pace.