As India gears up for the third and final ODI against Australia in Rajkot, there’s buzz surrounding the return of some star players. The deadline for announcing the final squads for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India looms large, and with the series already secured by India, the Men in Blue are planning strategic changes.
As the team gears up for the final showdown, several changes are expected in the playing XI. The decision to rest Shubman Gill and Shardul Thakur has already been made, while Axar Patel has been ruled out due to injury. However, the return of key players, including skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, is set to shake up the lineup.
Resting Key Players
In the lead-up to the ODI World Cup, India is keen on fine-tuning their squad and giving their superstar players an opportunity to showcase their skills. The team management has already decided to rest Shubman Gill and Shardul Thakur, while Axar Patel’s injury rules him out of contention for this game.
Rohit Sharma Returns
Captain Rohit Sharma, who had been on the sidelines for the first two ODIs, is set to make his return to the playing XI. The formidable opening duo of Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan is poised to grace the field once more. Rohit’s return is expected to bring a significant boost to India’s top order.
Hardik Pandya Sits Out
However, in a surprising twist, Hardik Pandya will not be part of the playing XI for this crucial encounter. The all-rounder will make way for Washington Sundar, who is set to don the Indian jersey. This decision seems to be part of the team’s strategy to test their all-rounders ahead of the World Cup.
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The Batting Line-Up
With these changes, India’s batting order will undergo some adjustments. Virat Kohli will take the number 3 spot, while Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will move down the order. At number 6, Suryakumar Yadav will provide stability, and Washington Sundar will occupy the number 7 position.
Bowling Dilemma
The bowling department also presents some questions. The return of Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav seems inevitable. However, it remains to be seen whether Mohammed Shami or Ravichandran Ashwin will complete the bowling attack. Additionally, the inclusion of Mohammed Siraj, who had been rested earlier in the series, is confirmed.
India’s Probable XI
Based on the available information, India’s probable XI for the third ODI includes Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami/Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.
India vs Australia 3rd ODI is going to be played at the Rajkot Stadium on 27th September 2023 (Wednesday) from 1:30 PM onwards. The match will see a few changes from both India and Australia as the two world class sides would try out their bench strength for the final time before the forthxoming ODI World Cup held in India.