India v Australia 2017, 2nd ODI- Australia Predicted XI

Australia are set to lock horns with India once again in the second ODI of the 5-match series in Kolkata amidst all the rain. The teams have been preparing for the encounter by using the indoor facilities at the Eden Gardens. Australia especially would be desperate to go out in the middle and level the series before going to Indore. Men in Blue are leading the series 1-0 after winning the Chennai ODI comfortably by 26 runs.

Steve Smith led side had India reeling at 11/3 first and 87/5 then at one stage but let them off the tenterhooks only to concede 281 after 50 overs. Nathan Coulter Nile was the only bowler who had an impact early on with the ball. James Faulkner was poor with the ball at the death and seems to have lost his prowess which he once had undoubtedly. The batsmen have to deliver, especially the middle order in case David Warner and Smith fail. Marcus Stoinis has to find a way to score runs against the spin as he looked all at sea while facing Kuldeep Yadav in the previous game. Australia has to play their near-perfect game to beat the ruthless Indians at Eden Gardens on Thursday.

Here we take a look at the predicted XI of Australia for second ODI:

Openers (Hilton Cartwright, David Warner)

Hilton Cartwright, the debutant in the last game, might be given another chance at the top of the order as Aaron Finch is yet to get fit. The youngster looked nervous and was castled by Jasprit Bumrah in the curtailed game. He could only score 1 run on his debut off 7 deliveries when his team needed almost 8 an over from the start. Cartwright would like to grab the opportunity with both hands and contribute significantly in Kolkata.

David Warner undoubtedly walks into any side and has to make an impact at the top. Smith will look up to him to lay a strong foundation for the upcoming batsmen. He was threatening to take the game away from India on Sunday but was bamboozled by the spin bowling of Kuldeep Yadav. Warner would love to launch an assault on the Indian bowlers early in the game.

Middle Order (Steve Smith, Travis Head)

The skipper Steve Smith is the pillar of this side and a lot would depend on how he will fare at Eden Gardens. He gifted his wicket to Hardik Pandya on Sunday in quest of some quick runs. But he would love to start scoring runs as another loss would mean a huge crisis for his side in the series. Smith’s dominance over the Indians could well be the turning point of the series.

Travis Head didn’t last long in Chennai as he nicked the ball to MS Dhoni off Pandya. However, no excuses might be entertained if he fails again Kolkata. Head is a powerful left-handed batsman but has to deliver on the day and display his batting skills. The youngster has to guide the side to a good total if Warner and Smith fail to do so.

All-Rounders (Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar)

Glenn Maxwell was the only batsman who put the hosts under pressure with his swashbuckling performance. He attacked India’s mystery spinner Kuldeep Yadav and had them under the pump in T20 style chase. But at 5 in other situations, he needs to rotate the strike as well and guide the youngsters like Stoinis and Head. If he stays at the crease till the end, Australia can chase or post any total on the board.

Marcus Stoinis was excellent with his bowling as he hit the deck hard and scalped prized wickets of Rohit Sharma and Kedar Jadhav. But to justify his tag of all-rounders, he needs to deliver with the bat as well. His painstaking innings didn’t last long in the first ODI and has to learn how to combat spin in testing conditions. His return to form with the bat would give the visitors much needed a boost at the death.

Ashton Agar is set to replace James Faulkner who was ordinary in Chennai. The former is a left arm spinner and his prowess with the bat are well known. He would be more than useful down the order for the Aussies. His main job though is to bowl and along with Adam Zampa would look strangle down the Indian batsman which is hard job to do.

Wicketkeeper (Matthew Wade)

Matthew Wade has continued to struggle against the spin and he needs to improve soon. While no one has ever doubted his skills behind the wickets his batting has come under the scanner now since Bangladesh tour. Wade needs to start scoring soon and provide his team with a boost lower down the order.

Bowlers (Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa)

Pat Cummins troubled Indians in the Test series with his pace and has continued to do so in ODIs as well. In Chennai he clocked around 150 kph every time he came to bowl. He created pressure from one end which helped Nathan Coulter-Nile. Unfortunately he was wicketless in the first game but would love to bowl a match winning spell in Kolkata.

Coulter-Nile made full use of the overcast conditions and swung the ball prodigiously in the first game. Aussies would want him to continue in same vein and trouble the top order once again. If he continues his form and scalps the top 3 in Kolkata on a grassy pitch might be in business but this time they need to close the game out.

Adam Zampa was termed as trump card by his skipper Smith but all went wrong for the leg spinner when Pandya looted 24 runs off his one over. Though, the leg spinner has time and again made a comeback after such bad games and would be raring to go on Thursday. If his ability to pick wickets in the middle overs come to the fore, Australia might well restrict India.