Australia vs India 2018/19: Predicting India's team combination for the third ODI

#2 Middle order

Virat Kohli, Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Kartik

Ambati Rayudu's struggles have once again opened up India's problem at crucial No. 4 batting position.

After being dismissed cheaply in the first match of the series, Indian skipper Virat Kohli bounced back with a superb 103 in the second match at Adelaide, which enabled India to level the three-match ODI series at 1-1. Therefore, Kohli will look to continue tormenting the Aussie bowlers with another big knock in the third ODI at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Before the beginning of the limited over series in Australia, the 33-year-old Ambati Rayudu was almost confirmed to be India's No. 4 batter at World Cup 2019 in England. But after a poor performance at both Sydney and Adelaide, Rayudu's spot hangs in balance.

However, considering that Indian management has backed Rayudu from past few months to be India's No. 4, it is safe to assume that Rayudu will be part of India's playing XI for the third ODI and will continue batting at the No. 4 position.

In the opening ODI at Sydney, the Indian management took a strange decision of selecting Dinesh Kartik ahead off all-rounder Kedar Jadhav in the playing XI which shocked many. However, Kartik justified his selection by playing a brilliant cameo of 25 runs from 14 balls in the second ODI to help India chase down the target of 299.

With his 25-run-knock at Adelaide, Dinesh Kartik is guaranteed to be part of Indian playing XI for the third ODI at Melbourne.