5 players who might return to the Indian ODI squad for the series against Australia

Team India started off the World Cup year on a high winning the three-match ODI series against the defending champions, Australia in their own backyard. In spite of Aaron Finch's men winning the first game at Sydney by 34 runs, the visitors bounced back to level the series 1-1 by clinching the second encounter at the Adelaide Oval by six wickets. The third and final game was played at Melbourne, with the visitors winning the decider by seven wickets to seal the series 2-1. This historic victory was India's first ever bilateral ODI series win on Australian soil.

After a memorable outing in Australia, Virat Kohli's men toured New Zealand for the limited-overs series comprising five ODIs and three T20Is. India recorded easy wins in the first three games, before losing the fourth ODI at the Seddon Park by eight wickets after being bundled out for just 92 in 30.5 overs. A 35-run victory at Wellington in fifth ODI handed India a 4-1 series win against Kane Williamson's men ahead of the T20Is which the hosts won 2-1.

Having been away from home since November 2018, the upcoming series against Australia has assumed much significance especially given the fact that it will be India's one final chance to sort out their issues before the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, as the IPL kicks off on March 23rd.

Virat Kohli, who was rested for the last two ODIs as well as the T20I series against the Blackcaps is expected to return to the Indian squad against Australia. Coach Ravi Shastri hinted at resting several players against the Aussies, keeping in mind the World Cup and workload. He told Star Sports after the ODIs against New Zealand, " Now, Shami would need a break – he has had a long season. Shikhar [Dhawan], Rohit [Sharma] could get a break as well". Let us now look at five players who might return to the Indian ODI squad for the five-match series against the current World Champions.

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5) Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant

Pant, who has played just three ODIs has done pretty well in the T20Is as well as the Tests so far and is now a serious contender for the World Cup. Chief Selector MSK Prasad who heaped praise on the southpaw said, "The progression of Rishabh in the last one year is phenomenal across the formats."

"Undoubtedly he (Pant) is in contention. A healthy headache" Prasad added. Pant, who missed out on a spot in the ODI squad against Australia and New Zealand, amassed 72 runs in the three T20Is against Blackcaps recently. The 21-year-old, who last played an ODI in October 2018 must make use of the opportunity to cement his spot in the Indian World Cup squad.

4) KL Rahul

KL Rahul

The reserve opener spot is something the team management is looking to sort out before the World Cup and KL Rahul, who in spite of his poor run with the willow is considered a front runner for that spot. Returning to Cricket after serving the suspension, Rahul managed the scores of 13, 42 and 0 in the third, fourth and fifth unofficial ODIs respectively for India A against the England Lions side.

Rahul, who amassed 89 off 192 balls in the first innings in the recently concluded drawn first unofficial Test against the visitors was backed by the chief selector MSK Prasad when asked about his probable World Cup spot. Prasad said, "Of course, he is definitely part of the conversation. He is a batsman of supreme class". This will be the Karnataka batsman's last chance to book a ticket to England for the quadrennial event and he must try and grab it with both hands.

3) Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav

With three fast bowling options settled (Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami) for India's World Cup campaign, Umesh Yadav is most likely to be the fourth option given his experience and bowing credentials. Yadav was the third highest wicket-taker during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup with 18 wickets to his name in eight matches.

He was one of the main reasons behind Vidarbha's title defence this Ranji Trophy season, scalping 23 wickets in three matches that included three five-wicket hauls. The 31-year-old who last played an ODI against the West Indies in October 2018 might fancy his chances given his exploits with the cherry in the Ranji Trophy. Umesh, who took three wickets (two ODIs) and five wickets (three T20Is) against England last year should be one of the main prospects given his pace and accuracy in the English conditions. Watch out for Umesh in the ODIs against Australia.

2) Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane

Another player who is all set to be tested for the reserve opener slot is the Indian Test vice-captain, Ajinkya Rahane. The Rajasthan Royals skipper who was a part of India's 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand amassed 208 runs in eight matches at an average of 34.66, with his highest score being 79. Rahane, who last played an ODI back in February 2018 against South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion, has been a mainstay in the Indian Test team contributing consistently with the bat.

Now, with Shastri hinting that Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma might be rested for the ODI series against Australia, Rahane might make his much-awaited comeback. The Mumbaikar who led India A in the first three unofficial ODIs against England Lions recently scored 59, 91 and 0. A good show with the bat against Aaron Finch's men might augur well for the experienced campaigner to once again be a part of India's World Cup campaign.

1) Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah, who finished 2018 as the highest wicket-taker across all three formats (78 wickets) was rested for the ODI series against Australia and India's limited-overs tour of New Zealand (5 ODIs and 3 T20Is) to reduce the workload. Regarded as one of the vital cogs in the Indian bowling set-up, Bumrah's role will be crucial for the Men in Blue during this summer's 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. The Gujarat pacer is expected to return for the ODIs against Australia after missing out on Team India's two previous ODI series.

Skipper Kohli's go-to bowler is expected to continue his impressive run with the ball thereby maintaining his top rank in the ICC ODI rankings before heading into the 2019 World Cup. This series might give Bumrah the much-needed momentum and help him get into the groove before the 2019 IPL and ICC Cricket World Cup. Expect Bumrah to be back with a bang!