Australia vs India 3rd ODI: Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI Updates & Fantasy Cricket Tips - January 18th, 2019

After a trademark Virat Kohli hundred and Dhoni's calmness took India over the line on Tuesday, both India and Australia battle each other for one last time at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Both teams have concerns in the bowling department with their problems with the third pacer but will be fairly content with the way their batting units have performed over the last two matches.

With the series on the line, India and Australia are sure to give it their best to seal the series and grab all the bragging rights to themselves. Fantasy players, you are in for a treat!

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Squads to choose from:

Australia:

Aaron Finch(c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(WK), Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa

India:

Virat Kohli(C), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (WK), Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed and Mohammed Shami.

Weather and ground conditions

One of the most iconic grounds in world cricket, the Melbourne Cricket Ground will host India in an ODI for the first time since January 2015. Despite a century from Rohit Sharma, the Australians had won that game by four wickets.

The pitch used for the Boxing Day Test did not have much for the bowlers initially but saw 20 wickets being taken by India by the end of the game. It might feel a little on the sluggish side, and assist spin. The temperatures have been soaring in Australia, and the heat wave might continue, although 18th might be cloudy with a little chance of thunderstorms.

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Playing XI Updates:

Australia:

The batting looks fairly settled with Glenn Maxwell providing the impetus in the last ten overs. Aaron Finch's form is also a cause for concern but at his home ground, he will be looking to break the duck with a sizeable contribution. There are a couple of changes in the Aussie side. Adam Zampa replaces offie Nathan Lyon, while Billy Stanlake replaces Jason Behrendorff, who is out with a sore back.

Australia XI: Finch(C), Carey(WK), Khawaja, Marsh, Handscomb, Stoinis, Maxwell, Jhye, Zampa, Siddle, and Stanlake.

India:

India would be relieved after M.S Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik's calm and composed approach towards the end of the chase. Ambati Rayudu hasn't been in the best of form and it was evident in his scratchy innings on Tuesday. In all likelihood, he should retain his position with the management putting immense faith in Rayudu over the last few months but if a change were to be made, Jadhav should ideally take his spot with his offspin also coming in handy. Siraj had a forgetful debut and should make way for Khaleel Ahmed.

Possible XI: Dhawan, Rohit, Virat(C), Rayudu/Jadhav, Dhoni(WK), Karthik, Jadeja, Bhuvi, Kuldeep, Shami and Khaleel.

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Fantasy Tips and Suggestions:

Wicket-keeper: Both Alex Carey and M.S Dhoni are great options to opt for with the latter scoring back to back fifties too. Alex Carey hasn't been able to replicate his Big Bash League form yet but the south-paw mustn't be ignored on a pitch that is suitable for batting. While Dhoni has been raking in the fantasy points over the last two games, Alex Carey should be given the nod.

Batsmen: Virat Kohli and Shaun Marsh scored brilliant hundreds in the previous games. Both of them look very assured at the crease and will be primed to score more runs at the MCG.

Shikhar Dhawan has great memories at the MCG with a stunning hundred against a formidable South African side in the 2015 World Cup to his name. He should be preferred over his opening partner, Rohit Sharma while either of the two Victorians, Aaron Finch and Peter Handscomb would be viable options to go for.

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja and Marcus Stoinis proved their worth last time around with Jadeja inflicting a brilliant runout to send Khawaja back to the hut. Stoinis is continuing his good form with a decent outing with the bat and ball. Both of them are invaluable to any team and should be backed for any fantasy contest.

Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake and Mohammed Shami are the ideal set of bowlers to go with. Kuldeep had a rare off-day in the previous ODI where he went for 66 runs in his quota of ten without accounting for any wicket. He should bounce back with an imperative performance.

Mohammed Shami was quite impressive with the new ball with both of them accounting for a wicket in the first ten overs. With swing on offer in Melbourne, it would be a treat to watch Shami in action.

Captain: Shikhar Dhawan's record at the MCG cannot be ignored and if it weren't for a rash shot he would have ideally gone to a make a big one in the previous ODI. He is one player to look out for along with Aaron Finch, another player whose MCG record is outstanding. But with his woeful form going against him, Virat Kohli could also be a great option.

Fantasy Suggestion #1: Alex Carey(WK), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jhye Richardson and Billy Stanlake. Captain: Shikhar Dhawan.

Fantasy Suggestion #2: M.S Dhoni(WK), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Marcus Stoinis, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami and Billy Stanlake. Captain: Virat Kohli