India vs Australia 2019: Australia's predicted playing XI for 2nd ODI

After a stellar performance in the T20Is, the Aaron Finch-led Australian team suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of hosts India in the first ODI at Hyderabad.

It was the batting that let Australia down and a small target of 237 was never going to be safe against India.

The second ODI of the 5-match series will take place tomorrow at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. The pitch at Jamtha is known to be spin-friendly and so, the spinners of both the teams will play a huge role in deciding the match's result.

In this article, we will take a look at how Australia could line up for the 2nd ODI:

Openers - Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja

Australian Team Nets Session

Australian skipper Aaron Finch would try his best to see off Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the opening overs as the visiting captain has failed to fire thus far on the tour. He would look to play well and get some runs under his belt ahead of the ICC World Cup 2019.

Usman Khawaja played a patient innings in the first ODI which helped the Aussie side reach a respectable total. He will look to continue his form in the 2nd ODI as well but he will try to improve on his strike-rate, especially in the powerplays. The right-left combination can work wonders for the visitors if Finch manages to survive the new ball.

Middle Order - Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Alex Carey

England v Australia - 2nd Royal London ODI

Shaun Marsh missed the first ODI because of a problem in his hamstring but the left-handed batsman is expected to play the second ODI at Nagpur. Ashton Turner could face the axe after he failed to provide a solid finish in the slog overs.

Peter Handscomb got off to a start in the first match but Kuldeep Yadav outfoxed him in the middle overs. Handscomb will have a point to prove when he takes the field for the second ODI.

Alex Carey hit 36 runs after coming in at no.7 and showed that he can bat up the order as well. He will look to continue his decent run of form and propel Australia to a competitive total.

All-rounders - Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Nathan Coulter-Nile

India v Australia - ODI Series: Game 1

Glenn Maxwell played supremely well in the T20I series against India and looked in great touch at Hyderabad as well. But, he could not repeat his heroics of the T20Is in the first one-dayer. Maxwell scored 40 runs before Mohammed Shami cleaned him up in the 40th over.

Marcus Stoinis played a sensible knock in the 1st ODI where he came out at no.3 and scored 37 off 53 balls. He can be dangerous in the slog overs and so, the Aussie team management would love to have him bat lower down the order at Nagpur.

Nathan Coulter-Nile's innings of 28 provided Australia with some momentum at the end of the innings and he was even successful in dismissing Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan in the first ODI.

Bowlers - Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff

Australia v India - ODI: Game 3

Pat Cummins went wicketless in the 10 overs he bowled in the 1st one-day international. The Aussie pacer would love to add some wickets to his tally in the 2nd game as he looks to seal his spot in Australia's World Cup squad.

Adam Zampa will be the most important player for Australia tomorrow as he will get good help from the Nagpur wicket. Zampa picked 2 wickets in the first ODI but he needs to scalp more wickets at Jamtha to give Australia the upper hand in the match.

Jason Behrendorff bowled a tidy spell in the 1st game but just like Pat Cummins, he would be looking to pick some wickets in the next match. Given that he has troubled the Indian batsmen a lot in the past, he will be Finch's trump card in the remaining matches.