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

#3. A return for Rohit Sharma

Rohit should reclaim his place at the top of the order

Rohit Sharma was omitted for the final T20I at Bengaluru as the hosts provided KL Rahul with another chance at the top of the order. Though the latter strengthened his credentials superbly, he could just find himself on the sidelines for the opening ODI.

Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan have formed a wonderful partnership at the top of the order and are near certainties to open the batting at the World Cup too. However, the Indian team would want to accord Dhawan as much match practice as possible.

At Bengaluru, the left-hander looked out of touch and with his career graph pointing towards either highly prolific or extremely lean patches, India would like him to get into the groove soon.

Thus, KL Rahul would most likely sit out to allow Rohit to return to the playing eleven. And while there are several uncertainties surrounding the team that could take the field, the inclusion of India’s vice-captain surely isn’t one of them.