The third and deciding ODI between Australia and India will be played on Jan 18, 2019, at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Australia won the first ODI at SCG and India equaled the series in Adelaide. Now the focus shifts to MCG, as the hosts look to end the series on a winning note.
Team India saw their batting come together beautifully in Adelaide, as Kohli’s 39th ODI century and Dhoni’s second consecutive fifty, coupled with important innings from Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik helped India chase down 299 runs and equal the series.
This might also mean the batting of the team will remain mostly the same for the third ODI. Team COC presents the Predicted Team India XI for the 3rd ODI at MCG.
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma along with Virat Kohli will make up the top three of the batting line up. It will also be a good chance for Ambati Rayudu to get some form going, as he was out for a duck in the 1st ODI and made a scratchy 20 odd in the second ODI. His success and good form at no.4 are necessary for the team going into the World Cup 2019.
MS Dhoni showed that he has gained some confidence back in his batting as his second fifty came in relatively quick time as compared to his labored effort in the first ODI. Dinesh Karthik has admitted that the team management has identified him as the finisher for the team and he did just that when he aided Dhoni in finishing the second ODI in Adelaide.
If any changes could be made, they might be done in the bowling department. The MCG ground is known for its humongous size and for aiding spin. This might entice the Indian team management to go in with two spinners and this might mean bringing in Yuzvendra Chahal, the right arm wrist spinner for Ravindra Jadeja.
Also, the experiment of bringing in Mohammed Siraj failed and since bringing in Chahal will elongate the tail, management might have to bring in Vijay Shankar, the all-rounder to balance the XI.
Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, along with Kuldeep Yadav are expected to keep their places in the XI.
COC Predicted Team India XI:
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammad Shami
