The Asia Cup triumph party is over and now things are getting real for India Cricket Team with just two weeks to go for ICC ODI World Cup. India vs Australia will provide the last chance to work on the combinations. With that in mind, a fit again Shreyas Iyer is back in India Playing XI vs AUS as he needs match time as much as possible. Focus will also be on Suryakumar Yadav who has not yet clicked in ODIs. But Asia Cup player of the match and the current No 1 ODI bowler Mohammed Siraj has been rested for Shardul Thakur and Mohammad Shami making in to the IND vs AUS 1st ODI.
India Playing XI: Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w/c), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami
- Decision No 1: Who will open for India?
- Decision 2: Who will partner Jadeja? Ashwin or Washington?
- Decision 3: Rest Siraj or unleash Siraj?
- Decision 4: Match practice for Asian Games contingent or World Cup contingent?
What to expect from IND vs AUS 1st ODI?
Who will open? – The squad is a mixture of World Cup and Asian Games contingent. But which set of players should get the priority? Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill are in the World Cup and have been playing together. But then India’s Asian Games captain Ruturaj Gaikwad hasn’t played many competitive games either.
It is likely that either Ishan Kishan or Shubman will have to vacate the opening slot for Ruturaj Gaikwad. Ishan Kishan could be a good bet against Mitchell Starc in the opening in Mohali as India have no other left-handers unless Tilak Varma comes in place of Shubman Gill to get some time in the middle.
Asian Games or World Cup? – With match practice paramount, Rahul Dravid has opted for World Cup over Asian Games. However, Ruturaj Gailwad who will lead in the Asian Games is in the Indian Playing XI. Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar both are not in World Cup squad and are also not in the XI for 1st ODI. With Mohd Shami not getting many match time, he has replaced Mohammed Siraj.
The good news is Shreyas Iyer. He is fit again and with hardly had any match practice, he is back in India Playing XI vs AUS. Dravid has also trusted Suryakumar Yadav instead of Tilak Varma.
Suryakumar Yadav hasn’t had a great run and would look to make a splash at No 6, especially with Hardik Pandya absent.
Siraj unlikely: Hero of Asia Cup final, Mohammed Siraj has been rested from IND vs AUS 1st ODI. Siraj ripped apart the Sri Lankan batting line-up with 6/21 figures. But he has had plenty of game time that Shami hasn’t had.
Ashwin or Washington? – Rahul Dravid already indicated that Ashwin will be his bet. The veteran off-spinner has pipped young state mate Washington Sundar. India recalled Ashwin as reported by InsideSport back in August. Ashwin hasn’t played an ODI since South Africa tour in January last year.
But as R Ashwin looks for a last-minute push for a World Cup spot, he is set to play ahead of Washington Sundar. The younger off-spinner will get his chance in the last ODI.
India squad for 1st & 2nd ODIs
KL Rahul (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
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