After a convincing series win, India is all set to play the third ODI against Australia in Rajkot on Wednesday (September 27). The return of star players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya is eagerly anticipated after they missed the first two ODIs.
Despite their absence, India showcased a dominating performance with both the bat and ball in hand. However, with the ICC Cricket World Cup just ten days away, it’s crucial for Kohli, Rohit, and Pandya to get some game time and fine-tune their preparations.
Team India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, will reclaim his spot at the top of the order, replacing Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will be joining the team for the Asian Games in China. Virat Kohli is likely to replace Ishan Kishan in the middle order, while Hardik Pandya is expected to slot in, potentially displacing either Prasidh Krishna or Ashwin from the playing eleven.
In the second ODI, India secured a comprehensive 99-run victory over Australia via the Duckworth-Lewis Method (DLR). The match saw outstanding centuries from Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill, while spin maestros Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin picked up three wickets each.
Also Read: Shreyas Iyer’s Admirable Stance: No Intention to Replace Virat Kohli in ODI Side
As the series moves to Rajkot, it’s expected that the pitch will favor batsmen once again. India’s batting line-up has been in exceptional form, with the likes of Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan consistently scoring runs. Shreyas Iyer’s fantastic form is a significant positive for India as they look to address the long-standing number 4 batting position puzzle.
With the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the top of the order, Shreyas Iyer is likely to bat at number four. However, India’s head coach Rahul Dravid faces a delightful dilemma with Suryakumar Yadav’s exceptional form.
Suryakumar Yadav has notched up two blazing centuries with a strike rate exceeding 100. His red-hot form ahead of the World Cup is a massive boost for India. Dravid now has the task of figuring out how to integrate Suryakumar Yadav into the playing eleven alongside the returning Rohit and Virat.
As the excitement builds for the final ODI in Rajkot, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the return of India’s star trio – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya. The match promises to be an enthralling encounter as India looks to maintain its winning momentum ahead of the World Cup.