India vs Australia, 4th ODI, Preview: Hosts shift to experiment mode; Aussies push for the leveller

MS Dhoni won't be a part of the last two ODIs.

Published - 09 Mar 2019, 14:53 IST | Updated - 09 Mar 2019, 14:53 IST

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India were expected to thrash the depleted Australian team playing at home in the five-match ODI series. But, Australia sprung up a special surprise as they challenged the hosts and ran close in all the three games thus far. It was in Ranchi where they managed to finish as the better of the two sides. At 2-1 in favour of India, the series is still alive for the visitors as they look for the leveller.

Proceedings, in what has been a highly competitive series, will now move further up towards the north. The last two games will be played in Mohali and Delhi respectively. Since they have got just two ODI games before the World Cup 2019, the ‘Men in Blue’ are obliged to test their bench strength. Experimentation will be on in these two games as they try to zero in on their final-15 for the mega-tournament and will be without MS Dhoni.

Australia, on the other hand, will be a very confident unit. They came close in the first two games in Hyderabad and Nagpur but their batting efforts failed to get the side over the line. Moreover, with Aaron Finch back in form, it will seem like a breath of fresh air for the visitors. They have got the bowling capabilities to win the last two games. It is all about their batsmen to step up and deliver on another instance.

Team Combinations

India

Indian skipper Virat Kohli clarified that the management will be exploring the other options available going into the last two games in the series. With MS Dhoni rested, Rishabh Pant has got two chances for himself now and will be the man behind the stumps. Mohammed Shami injured himself in the last match and the management will not want to take any chances with the pacer as there is only one day break between the games. Bhuvneshwar Kumar might return in his place.

Ravindra Jadeja failed to justify his all-rounder’s tag and there isn’t any point picking him in the eleven for the fourth One-Dayer. Instead, Yuzvendra Chahal can be given an opportunity for these games. KL Rahul is slated to make his ODI comeback either in place of Rohit Sharma or Shikhar Dhawan. The vice-captain is likely to sit out. Ambati Rayudu is just one knock away from regaining his confidence and the management will persist with him.

Predicted XI: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma/Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant (WK), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah.

Australia

Australia, after the win in Ranchi, will look to keep the winning combination going. Aaron Finch finding his form back is the biggest positive for the team as they build up for the World Cup. What they are trying to achieve is building a strong and dependable eleven even without the likes of David Warner and Steve Smith. They are heading in the right direction as of now. Finishing the innings well is one aspect of the game that they’ll have to work upon.

Predicted XI: Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch (C), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Jhye Richardson, Adam Zampa.

Focus will be on

Vijay Shankar (India)

Vijay Shankar has got a wonderful opportunity in front of him for the last two ODIs. The skipper seems to have found some trust in his bowling abilities as he got to bowl 8 overs in the previous game. Moreover, he could bat up the order at number five in the absence of MS Dhoni. The chance of playing both Hardik and Vijay in England can’t be ruled out. Hence, they will be watched closely by the selection committee as well as the team management.

Aaron Finch (Australia)

In the last two games of the series, Aaron Finch has shown signs of good form. The Australian skipper was smashing the bowlers all around the park in Ranchi. However, he was unfortunate to have missed out on his century. Finch will be looking forward to carrying on with this good form in the 4th ODI as well in Mohali where the track is terrific to bat on.