India vs Australia 2019: India's Predicted XI for the 3rd ODI

Middle order: Virat Kohli, Vijay Shankar, and Rishabh Pant

India v Australia - ODI Series: Game 1

Virat Kohli will keep his No. 3 position in the batting order unless they make a huge call to rope in Rahul at No. 3, and in that case, Kohli will bat at No. 4. But, it is a highly unlikely change, given the way Kohli has been performing well in that position. The Indian captain scored his 40th ODI hundred at Nagpur and was named Man of the Match.

Vijay Shankar is expected to bat at No.4 after he played a crucial knock in the second ODI. After a good 90 in the final ODI against New Zealand, Ambati Rayudu has failed to make an impression in the first two ODIs at No.4. Vijay has impressed so far in his limited chances and Kohli would want him to continue his good form.

Rishabh Pant might come back into the team and is expected to take the No. 5 slot in the batting lineup. After missing out on the ODI series against Australia and New Zealand, Rishabh Pant will be itching to make his mark in the One Day Internationals to stake his claim for a place in the World Cup squad. Pant has had a phenomenal 2018 with the bat and showed a lot of maturity in the Test series against Australia.