After a thrilling win in the second ODI in Nagpur , India will be looking to make it 3-0 and seal the series when they take on Australia in third one day international at Ranchi on Friday.
The reliable opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have failed to provide a solid foundation at the top. In the last 15 ODIs Dhawan has made just 2 fifties and his form will be mildly worrying for India. However the Delhi batsman has a record of getting his mojo back in ICC events and is thus likely to be persisted with.
The home side are unlikely to change things at the JSCA Stadium, and are expected to keep faith with the same XI that did the business in Hyderabad and Nagpur. Lokesh Rahul who was in superb nick in the recently concluded T-20 internationals, is likely to warm the bench yet again. Ambati Rayudu has done little of note after his 90 in New Zealand, but should get another chance.
India have a mixed record in Ranchi- out of the four games played at this venue, the hosts have won 2, lost 1 with one game producing no result.
Vijay Shankar who was promoted up the batting order made a significant contribution with both bat and ball in Nagpur. He scored a fluent 46 and was unlucky to be run out. He also held his nerve and defended 11 runs in the final over.
In the bowling department, the likes of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah have been simply superb in the two games played so far.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar after being rested for the first two one dayers, could be back in action for the remaining matches. One among Shami and Bumrah could be rested if they decide to bring Bhuvi straight back in.
The visitors one the other have run India close but failed to capitalize on crucial moments. Aaron Finch finally got among the runs in Nagpur, and his return to form is a timely one for a batting side that’s struggled to click as a unit.
Apart from Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Peter Handscomb, none of the other batsman have failed to impress. Pat Cummins has been the stand out performer with the ball for the Aussies.
India likely XI
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (capt), Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami/ Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav & Jasprit Bumrah
Australia likely XI
Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch (capt), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile/ Jason Behrendoff/ Jhye Richardson, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon & Adam Zampa