Following their victory in the ODI series against Australia, the Indian Cricket team is set to face the third ODI in another run scoring feast ground in Rajkot. After a magnificent 99-run victory in the second ODI in Indore, the Men in Blue secured the series win over the Australians and are gearing up for the final match on Wednesday. Nevertheless, the Indian squad will witness some notable players missing and some returning to action. Axar Patel has also been reported to be dropped from the squad because of his injury occured in Asia Cup.
Meanwhile, Axar was included only in the third ODI and was not part of the squad for the first two games. “From what has been made known to us with Axar’s injury is that he should be okay. That’s a call we’ll make once we know that. Axar, unfortunately, picked up an injury in that game, and we are hopeful that he will be fit,” Agarkar had said on Axar.
In the final ODI of the three-match series, India’s key players, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah, are set to participate. Shubman Gill and Shardul Thakur will be rested and are scheduled to feature in warm-up matches for the ODI World Cup 2023. Additionally, Prasidh Krishna, Tilak Verma, and Ruturaj Gaikwad have been released from the squad to create space for senior players.
Notably, Ravichandran Ashwin, who was India’s standout spinner in the 2nd ODI, is also expected to make room for Kuldeep Yadav. Although Ashwin hasn’t been included in the World Cup squad yet, he could serve as a suitable replacement for the injured Axar Patel.
India’s Squad for 3rd ODI against Australia: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, (Vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel (subject to fitness), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj.
The 3rd ODI between India and Australia is scheduled to be held in Rajkot, where the pitch appears to be a batting paradise. The Indian management is inclined towards experimenting with Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami as the three primary pacers for future matches. In the final game, Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja are expected to be the spinners.