With the series level at 1-1, India will take on Australia in the third and final ODI of the series in Chennai on Wednesday.
The hosts were given a thorough reality-check on Sunday as they got completely thrashed by the visitors. India got bowled out for 117, and to rub salt on their wounds further, the Australians chased it down within 11 overs, with all 10 wickets remaining.
It was a much improved performance from Australia compared to the first ODI, and things look pretty good for them heading into the World Cup later this year. Things don’t look that good for India, though. The top-order has failed to deliver in both matches so far. It was the pair of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja that saved them from a losing position in the first match, but India were not so lucky this time.
Indian bowling looked pretty bleak in the last game, but they didn’t have much to defend either. They did deliver an excellent performance in the first ODI, though, and they will look to perform in the same way in this series-decider as well. Having said that, it’s India’s batting unit that really needs to step up. If they can do so, it won’t be that tough to tame the mighty Australian side.
Probable Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami
Australia: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
Key Players
KL Rahul: The Indian wicketkeeper-batter played a match-winning knock of 75* in the first ODI. He has been a consistent performer for India at No.5 in this format and he will he looking to deliver in this game once again.
Mitchell Marsh: The top-order batter has been in sublime form in this series. Marsh scored 81 in the first ODI and smashed an unbeaten 66 in the last game as well. He will be looking to carry his good run of form forward.
Prediction
Although India suffered a crushing defeat in the last match, they can be expected to bounce back strongly in this game. The conditions in Chennai are expected to be spin-friendly and the hosts are a force to reckon with in such conditions. India will enter this game as favourites to win, despite the loss in the previous match.
