India vs Australia, 4th ODI – India Predicted Playing XI

The cricketing action will move up towards the north as India host Australia at Mohali for the fourth ODI. The series is nicely poised at 2-1 at the moment inclined towards the hosts. Another victory could well seal the deal for ‘Men in Blue’. However, the Kangaroos wouldn’t let the hosts get over the line easily, especially after the performance in Ranchi.

As they look to bag the series, India have also got to test the bench strength. The side was unchanged in the first three games of the series. With just two ODI games left ahead of the World Cup 2019, changes are inevitable and there could be quite a few.

Here is what could be the possible playing XI for India:

Openers (Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul)

To fit KL Rahul into the eleven, one of Shikhar Dhawan or Rohit Sharma should sit out. It could be the turn of the vice-captain to do so in Mohali. The idea will be to play Shikhar in one game and Rohit in the other for the remaining two matches. Shikhar will enjoy the Mohali surface where the ball will come onto the bat nicely.

He will have to spend more time in the middle rather than trying to go aggressive right at the start. KL Rahul has been waiting patiently for his chance. Mohali will be the perfect venue for the right-hander to make his comeback into the ODI set-up.

Middle Order (Virat Kohli (C), Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant (wk))

The Indian skipper has been unbelievable in the series with back-to-back centuries in the last two matches. He will have a massive role to play yet again as India is likely to go with a batsman short. Ambati Rayudu’s form has raised an alarming concern amongst the fans right ahead of the World Cup.

He is a confidence player and is just a good knock away from being back at his best. The management will look to give Rayudu a chance to bat at four in both the remaining games. With MS Dhoni rested, Rishabh Pant is sure to get two games to prove his potential. He will also don the gloves for Team India in these two matches.

All Rounders (Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar)

Kedar Jadhav, who is usually good with the ball, was taken to the cleaners by Aaron Finch in the last game. This batting all-rounder didn’t have a great outing with the bat either. Therefore, he will be eager to make a strong comeback and prove his point.

He will share the all-rounder duties with Vijay Shankar. These two will have to bowl ten overs between them and Shankar is likely to do a bulk of the job. He has got a wonderful opportunity in front of him as the management is likely to promote him up the batting order. Shankar should try to play without any pressure and deliver his best.

Bowlers (Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar could be replacing Ravindra Jadeja in the eleven. The pacer is capable enough with the bat and can possibly fulfil a similar role to that of the southpaw. Bhuvi is likely to get an opportunity in both the remaining games. He will be sharing the pace bowling responsibilities with Jasprit Bumrah. The 25-year-old has been unbelievably consistent in recent times and will look to make up for the mediocre outing in the last game.

Mohammed Shami looked in discomfort after he was hit in his ankle region in the last match. Therefore, he might be rested and this opens up the door for Yuzvendra Chahal. Along with Kuldeep Yadav, he is expected to put a lot of pressure on the opposition batsmen in the middle overs and put India on top.

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