India v Australia, 4th ODI - India Predicted XI

Team India continued their rampaging form in the third ODI against Australia at Indore. A clinical win in the match gave the Virat Kohli-led men in blue an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series. Having won the series, the team is now eyeing a historic whitewash. India has never whitewashed Australia in a bilateral ODI series before.

They have achieved this feat in the shortest format of the game. Now, they have the perfect setting to it in the ODIs as well. If the rain gods stay away from the game, the Indian team, in all likelihood, is expected to try out their bench strength in the match. The selectors opted to retain the same squad for the final two ODIs as well except one change. Ravindra Jadeja was left out of the squad and Axar Patel replaced him.

Unfortunately, though, for the young Axar, he got injured ahead of the fourth ODI and is unlikely to turn up for the Bengaluru ODI. The Indian team would be on their ruthless mode and will go for the full bounty. On the other hand, the visiting Australian side will have their pride to play for. Amidst this backdrop, here is what the probable Indian side looks like for the match.

Here is the India Predicted XI for the match:

Openers (Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma)

Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma look set to open the innings for the team in the match. Unless there is a last moment shuffle to bring in KL Rahul at the top order, the Rahane-Rohit duo looks like a set pair. Both batsmen have had a reasonable series thus far. However, a collective success is what the team would expect from the two batsmen.

While Rohit Sharma is a certain starter at the top order for any limited overs fixture team India plays, Ajinkya Rahane has his mettle to prove in the limited opportunities that he gets. Rahane has a fifty to his name in the series and would want to make the most out of the chances that he is getting in absence of Shikhar Dhawan.

Middle-Order (Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey)

Virat Kohli has been reigning supreme in the Indian middle-order. Even in the fixture when the team failed as a batting unit, Kohli stood tall with a firm 92 to his name. He will continue to bat at number 3 in the match.

At number 4, the team can spring a change. KL Rahul is most likely to come in at number 4 in the match. Rahul, who has been benched thus far in the series, was tried at number 4 in the Sri Lanka ODI series that preceded this Australia series. However, a string of low scores saw him lose out on his place in the side.

If Rahul makes a comeback to the side, this could potentially mean a slide down the order for Manish Pandey. Manish, who has been constantly chipping in with contributions of 30s and 40s, will have to bat in the lower middle order.

All-rounders (Hardik Pandya)

Hardik Pandya has almost cemented his spot in the team. Pandya has emerged as the go to player for the team India in the series. He has bagged two Player of the Match awards in the three ODIs thus far. He hit a whirlwind 83 in the first ODI at Chennai. In the Indore ODI, he came up with another balanced knock of 78. He also contributed with his complete quota of 10 overs in the match.

Wicket-keeper (MS Dhoni)

Wicket-keeper MS Dhoni looks set in the lineup too. He has been unbeaten on most occasions for the team in the recent past. His crucial fifty in the Chennai ODI helped the team to steady the sinking ship. He has been batting sensibly and contributing consistently for the team’s cause. Behind the stumps, he is quick as ever and has shown that with a couple of lighting fast stumpings to dismiss Glenn Maxwell.

Spinners (Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal)

After the third ODI, it was speculated that either of the two spinners – Yuzvendra Chahal or Kuldeep Yadav – could be rested for the next two ODIs. This would have been an attempt to accommodate Axar Patel in the playing eleven. But now, with Axar injured, the two young spinners are likely to take the field for the team again.

Chahal has been impressive with his wicket taking instincts. He has made Glenn Maxwell his bunny by dismissing him in every game this series. On the other hand, the name of Kuldeep Yadav needs no further introduction. The youngster made ripples in world cricket by claiming a hat-trick recently.

Fast bowlers (Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav)

The bulk change that the team can come up with in the match is in the pace bowling department. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have been donning the responsibility thus far. But, as the team policy has been in the recent past, all benched players get their go in the series. Hence, the experience of Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav can make a comeback in the game.

Both Bhuvi and Bumrah could be rested for the match. Shami and Yadav will have a tough time to replicate the good work that Bhuvi and Bumrah have come up with. But the two are very well equipped to deliver the goods as and when needed by the team.