India vs Australia: 5 Changes India could make for the 1st ODI

#4. Ambati Rayudu in place of Rishabh Pant

Rayudu played a match-winning innings at Wellington recently

The Indian team has been flirting with the idea of playing Rishabh Pant in the middle order for a while now. Yet, the wicket-keeper hasn’t set the world ablaze whenever given the opportunity. Moreover, the youngster has looked fazed at the crease and has given the impression of a child trying a little too hard to impress his teacher.

Thus, one wouldn’t be surprised if Ambati Rayudu is given the nod for the 1st ODI. The middle-order batsman looked out of sorts initially in Australia and New Zealand. However, with more game time under his belt, he seemed to have rediscovered his sumptuous form of last year.

Additionally, Rayudu provides solidity to the middle order with his capability to arrest a slide placing him on a higher pedestal than Pant.

Though the latter will certainly get opportunities to prove his worth before the series ends (he could also don the gloves if MS Dhoni’s forearm injury is serious), one gets the feeling that the former would be preferred for the game at Hyderabad with India wanting to set the early pace.

Yet, with this Indian team, one never knows what rabbit they might pull out of their selection hat. But, it definitely is a change that one can expect rather than be shocked at.