India wait for top order to fire
Hosts will hope Rohit Sharma & Co shake off their subdued form against an upbeat Australia and seal series
with satisfy skipper Virat Kohli than a dominating show with everything clicking.
After Usman Khawaja (104) and Aaron Finch (93) guided Australia to 313 in Ranchi on Friday, India batsmen, apart from Kohli’s masterful 123, looked at sea. Lack of support at the other end, the woeful run of openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, the bowlers leaking runs and the middle-order led by Ambati Rayudu still looking shaky, everything went wrong for India in Ranchi.
The hosts managed to win the first match with eight balls to
spare after being 99/4 while in the second match bowlers led the way to eke out an eight-run win. With Australia snapping at the heels, things turned for worse for India in Ranchi. A chase of 314 was dented after Rohit and Shikhar failed to give an ideal start. But for Kohli, India would not even have put up a challenge and the margin of loss (32 runs) would have been much bigger. Kohli was not happy with the batting and indicated a couple of changes were likely. “We don’t want to see anymore collapses. We want partnerships that can get us going. Yeah, we will have a few changes in the next couple of games,” he said.
In bowling, Mohammed Shami looks uncertain after taking an Aaron Finch hit on the shin, which is set to bring in Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the first time this series. With Rishabh Pant slated to take the keeping gloves from MS Dhoni, who is rested, one will have to see if the out of form openers get another chance or India try out KL Rahul, who is warming the bench. Rahul last played an ODI last September.
For Dhawan though, Mohali holds a special place. He hit the fastest Test century on debut here in 2013 against the same foes. Where Rahul fits in will be known only at the toss as No 4 Ambati Rayudu has also looked out of sorts.
After the Khawaja-finch century stand hurt India in Ranchi, the visitors are likely to field the same team as they seek to build on their momentum for the World Cup.
Having picked the same squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan in the UAE, Australia have been competitive with bowlers led by Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa howlding their sway over the Indian batsmen.
FITNESS TEST
Finch and Khawaja apart, Glenn Maxwell too will hope to cash in after a couple of decent starts in the series.
It’s here that Bhuvneshwar can combine with Jasprit Bumrah and give India an option of attack from the start. Two matches in three days will also test the fitness and recovery of both the teams.