India vs Australia: India's predicted XI for the first ODI

#2 Middle Order

Kohli and Dhoni

If Rahul bats at three then we could see Kohli at number four. This will give more strength to India in the middle order. However this will be just an experiment, if it does not work then we will see the Indian captain back to his familiar position in the World Cup. Kohli has batted at number four before and scored seven centuries in 37 innings at an average of 58.13.

So the change won't really affect the champion player. Ambati Rayudu might play at number five as India wants a solid batsman in the middle to bat along with Kohli. Rayudu scored a match-winning 90 against New Zealand in the last ODI. He scored that when India was reeling at 4/18. Dhoni would bat at number six. He had a great ODI series in Australia. We might not see the old finisher, but he could be crucial for India in the World Cup.