India vs Australia 2017: 5 experiments the Indian team should do in the rest of the ODI matches

The Indian cricket team is currently in the midst of a dominating spree. Kohli and his men have employed a ruthless modus operandi on the field and the team generally comes up with answers whenever they are pushed into a corner.

As a result of this balanced and well-oiled machinery, the Indian team has now won 9 consecutive ODI matches and with the victory against Australia in the third ODI, the hosts have sealed another win in a bilateral series.

However, before the Sri Lanka series, Kohli spoke about experimenting and now with the series in the bag, the Indian team can look to try out different players and combinations in the upcoming matches.

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#5 Change in the batting order

The promotion of Hardik Pandya in the 3rd ODI to number 4 did raise quite a number of eyebrows, but with his commanding innings, he muted all the doubters.

Thus, as the Indian team takes the field in Bengaluru for the 4th ODI, the batting order should remain flexible as it will give the team a lot of options going forward and with people adjusting to different roles, the road will be less rocky for this team.

Thus, someone like a Manish Pandey could be promoted to number 3, Dhoni could walk out at number 4, these experiments should be made come the 4th match.

#4 Axar Patel should come in

Should walk into the team

Patel has been a quiet performer for the Indian team in the shorter formats and he has earned his spot in the side.

Having recovered from an injury. he should ideally walk into the side, but the team management has to make a spot available for him.

Kedar Jadhav appears the most likely candidate who could be benched and this might not be a bad option for Axar either, who has so far only underperformed with the willow at the highest level.

The added responsibility at number 6 could well egg him on to put in a substantial performance with the bat.

#3 Umesh and Shami should be tried out

Should be given the new ball

Both Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri know what they will get out of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah and thus the time is ripe to throw the ball to Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami who have been cooling their heels for quite some time now.

Umesh has developed into a gun fast bowler for Kohli in Test matches and if he could bring in the same cutting edge with the white ball, Indian cricket will be served for the next 5 years.

Shami, on the other hand, has been battling with injuries and although he was pretty impressive during the West Indies tour, he would love to test himself against the Australian batting.

#2 Ajinkya Rahane should continue at the top of the order

Merits opening the batting

With Shikhar Dhawan being available for selection, the Indian team might go back to their tried and tested method of clubbing Rohit Sharma and Dhawan at the top of the order.

However, Ajinkya Rahane has done his chances no harm in the opportunities given to him so far and hence merits selection in the squad. In order to maintain continuity, Rahane should ideally walk out with Rohit.

Rahane has shown good awareness both in the West Indies series and in the 3 matches so far and has supported Rohit in his characteristic unfazed manner.

#1 Virat Kohli should take a rest; Rohit should captain

Take a break, Virat!

There is little doubt that Virat Kohli is one of the fittest players going around in the circuit, but even he needs to take a break from this incessant cricket.

With a massive away season looming large, the Indian team would not want their captain to break down, especially when the series has been sealed.

This will also give an opportunity to Rohit Sharma, the designated vice-captain of the side to lead the side and could well offer an insight into his leadership credentials.