India vs Australia-2019: 3 changes India might make for the third ODI against Australia

Team India defeated the Aaron Finch-led Australian side by 8 runs in a thrilling second ODI at VCA Stadium in Nagpur to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Earlier, the hosts lost the T20I series 2-0 after tasting defeats at Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru.

The first ODI played at Hyderabad saw India crush Australia by six wickets in spite of reeling at 99-4 while chasing 237 runs for victory.

With just over two months to go for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and the ODI series against the Aussies being the last International assignment before the showpiece event, India might try out few options before settling their World Cup squad.

Already 2-0 up in the series, the Men in Blue might be tempted to test their bench strength in the remaining three matches. The third encounter will be played in Ranchi before the caravan moves to Mohali and Delhi for the last two fixtures. Let us now look at three changes India might make to the XI for the third ODI at Ranchi.

---

#3 Rishabh Pant in for Ambati Rayudu

Rishabh Pant

It was a big surprise when Dinesh Karthik was dropped out of India's ODI squad for the series against Australia, as he is one of the prime contenders for the reserve wicket-keeper slot going into the World Cup. But, young Rishabh Pant's inclusion stressed the fact that the selectors wanted to give the Delhi youngster more opportunities in the 50-over format. With 2 games already being played out, Pant, who has played just three ODIs in his career, is yet to break into the XI.

Touted to be the best bet for India's number four slot, Ambati Rayudu failed to make any impact with the bat in the two games so far, managing the scores of 13 and 18 respectively. After failing to score big at home (Hyderabad) in the first ODI, he found it difficult to rotate the strike at Nagpur and is likely to be replaced by Pant for the Ranchi ODI.

India might provide Pant more game time before zeroing in on the World Cup roster and with Vijay Shankar delivering with the bat in the middle order, it does not augur well for Rayudu.

#2 Play KL Rahul

KL Rahul

Though many doubted KL Rahul's selection in India's T20 as well as the ODI squads, he silenced his critics by emerging as the top scorer for the hosts with 97 runs in two matches (50 and 47) at a strike-rate of 156.45.

Rahul finding his touch with the willow was one of the major positives for India in what was a rather disappointing T20I series. The talented Karnataka batsman's amazing strokeplay reminded everyone of the 2018 IPL where he amassed 659 runs in 14 matches for Kings XI Punjab.

With the reserve opener slot being one of the major issues ahead of the World Cup, Rahul was expected to make the XI for the ODIs, especially after his heroics in the T20 series. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case as he was left out of the XI in the first two games much to everyone's surprise.

Already 2-0 up in the five-match series, India might be tempted to field Rahul who has to make most out of the opportunity in the next three matches.

#1 Bhuvneshwar Kumar in for Mohammed Shami

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was rested for the recently concluded two-match T20I series (which the visitors won 2-0) as well as the first two ODIs, and will be returning to the fold for the next three games (third, fourth and fifth ODIs) replacing Siddarth Kaul. The Punjab pacer played the second T20I at Bengaluru finished with figures of 1/45 in 3.4 overs and was unfortunately left out of the XI for the first two ODI encounters.

With Bhuvi coming in, India might rest Mohammed Shami, who was one of their prime wicket-takers during their last two ODI series against Australia (away) and New Zealand. Shami, who took two wickets in the first ODI at Hyderabad, went wicketless in the next game at Nagpur finishing with the figures of 0/60 in 10 overs.

With just three ODIs to go before the 2019 World Cup, Bhuvneshwar, who has taken 15 wickets in eight ODIs so far this year might get some play time in the remainder of this series.