India vs Australia 2020: 5 things to watch out for in the ODI series

2. India's search for a third seamer

Shardul Thakur has another opportunity to impress

With Bhuvneshwar Kumar not in the line-up, India would be searching for a third seamer to assist Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. The options include Navdeep Saini, Shardul Thakur and Shivam Dube. The last of those is an all-rounder, so he can fit into the team in a different capacity too.

For Thakur and Saini, this is a big series. The regular Indian pace trio consists of Bumrah, Bhuvi and Shami. If either Thakur or Saini wants to fight their way in or become the guaranteed next option in the pecking order, they need to come up with impressive performances in this series.

While Dube is an all-rounder, his best chance to be in the team also emerges from becoming a reliable seamer. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are already the top contenders for the all-rounder’s spot, so Dube would find it hard to get through into the XI.

Hence, this is a big series for him too, from the bowling perspective. He has to make a compelling case for a place in the team as a bowler.