India vs Australia 2017: India's predicted playing XI for fifth ODI

Axar Patel struggled in Bangalore

Axar Patel will, in all likelihood, be persisted with despite a fairly average performance in the fourth ODI. Axar struggled for control and was easily taken apart by the Australian batsmen. The left-arm spinner offie is not a great turner of the ball and hence has to be extremely accurate and economical to help pile the pressure on the batsmen.

Aside from that, he is also a useful lower order batsman and can contribute with few quick-fire runs if needed. Axar's spot in the side has come under the scanner following the performances of Kuldeep and Chahal and hence he needs a fairly decent outing to get back in contention.

Kuldeep Yadav could return to the side at the expense of Yuzvendra Chahal who struggled in game four after impressive performances in the matches that preceded it. Kuldeep became only the third Indian to take a hat-trick in ODIs when he achieved the feat in the second ODI. A left-arm chinaman, Kuldeep is a tricky customer to pick up and will be key to India's chances of restricting the explosive Aussie middle order that contains the likes of Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell.