Changes India can come up with for the 5th ODI

After winning the first three matches, the men in blue looked good for a 5-0 whitewash against New Zealand but lost the fourth ODI very badly. However, they will now look to finish the series on a high and carry the momentum to the T20I series.

The final ODI of the series will be played at the Westpac Stadium on 3rd February. The former skipper, MS Dhoni has also been declared fit for the fifth ODI which is a good win for Team India before the T20I series.

Although India has won this series 3-1, they would like to make it a big one because it's not every day that you get a chance to win series in foreign conditions.

To make a winning combination, 'Team India' can come up with some changes in the last eleven, as they will also look to test the players before the World Cup.

Coach Ravi Shastri and the stand-in captain Rohit Sharma would like to continue the rotation policy and give young players a chance in the XI. In this sense, it seems that Shubman Gill and Khalil Ahmed can get another chance. But to make a winning combination, they will also look to shuffle the order.

Youngster Shubhaman Gill, who failed in his debut match in the fourth ODI can get another chance. Since all the Indian batters disappointed on the pitch that was suited for seam bowlers, therefore, there are fewer chances of this talented batsman getting dropped only after one match.

Ambati Rayudu has made amend of the chances he has got, but his counterpart Dinesh Karthik has also done well for the team, although he has not got much chance. In such a situation, it is possible that India can give rest to Rayudu and try DK at the crucial number 4 position. Mahendra Singh Dhoni can return for the fifth ODI after the fitness issues in the last two matches. He is also in tremendous form after a not so fruitful 2018. So, Dhoni in place of Rayudu can be the first change in the team.

After this, Kedar Jadhav, who is playing in the team as a batting all-rounder, is more than likely to play, as he is also capable of disturbing the opposition batsmen with his off-spin bowling.

Hardik, who was suspended after his controversial statement on the reality show, has made a great comeback. He took two wickets and a spectacular catch in the third match. India will definitely play him in the fifth ODI to give him more match practice before the World Cup.

The second change in the XI can be of Ravindra Jadeja, who has done well in the recent past. So, in order to keep him match ready, one of the wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav or Yuzvendra Chahal can be rested.

Man of the Match from the first and third ODI, Mohammad Shami, can also return to the side for the last ODI. In the first three games that he played, he constantly troubled the opposition openers, Martin Guptill and Colin Munro, with his pace and seam. He was rested in the fourth match but, can be included in the XI to give Bhuvneshwar some rest before the T20I series.

India is searching its future in left-handed young fast bowler Khalil Ahmed. In the previous match, Indian batsmen did not score many runs which did not give any chance to the bowlers to defend. So, Khalil Ahmed might retain his place in the side. Although, there is also a possibility that Team India can make a shocking decision and add another young fast bowler Mohammad Siraj in place of Khalil. So, that can be the possible third change in the playing XI.