India vs Australia, 3rd ODI predicted XIsWill David Warner return for series decider in Chennai?

By India Today Sports DeskIndia will look to get it right after the hammering in the 2nd ODI as they prepare to meet Australia in the series finale in Chennai on Wednesday, March 22. The hosts were handed a 10-wicket defeat in which their batting flopped against the left-arm pace of Mitchell Starc on a good pitch in Visakhapatnam.

With the series on the line, India will be keen on making sure they get their combination right for the series finale in Chennai, which is hosting an ODI fixture for the first time since December 2019. Australia, on the other hand, have a few selection dilemmas of their own although they have the luxury of retaining the winning combination.

The big question is whether Australia will play David Warner, who is recovering from a hairline fracture in his elbow during the Test series. Delhi Capitals captain Warner returned home after the Delhi Test but returned to join the ODI squad ahead of the first match in Mumbai. However, he is yet to play a match in the series.

In Warner’s absence, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head have forged a strong opening stand after having smashed a record-setting 100-run stand in the Visakhpatnam ODI.

One of the middle-order batters might have to make way for Warner if the left-handed opener is fully fit for the series finale.

WILL SURYA PLAY THE FINALE?

India have not lost an ODI series at home since 2019. A side led by Aaron Finch had fought back from 0-2 down to beat India 3-2 in a 5-match series. However, the momentum is with Australia after they handed India their biggest defeat in ODI cricket as the visitors chased down 118 in just 11 overs with 10 wickets to spare.

India are unlikely to tinker with the top-order despite the batting failures in the first two matches as Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma will retain the opening slots while Virat Kohli will walk in at No. 3. However, captain Rohit and Rahul Dravid have some tough calls to make when it comes to picking the right combination for the Chennai conditions.

Suryakumar Yadav’s ODI form has become a hot topic of discussion after his golden ducks in the first two ODIs. His failure to inswinging deliveries from Mitchell Starc has led to experts questioning his place in the side. After having played 22 ODIs, Suryakumar averages less than 25 in the 50-over format and has not managed to repeat his T20I heroics.

However, both head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit have backed the World No. 1 T20I batter, saying he would get a longer rope in ODIs.

In Shreyas Iyer’s absence, India don’t have too many options as they did not pick the likes of Sanju Samson and Rajat Patidar for the middle-order role in the squad.

On the other hand, the big question would be as to whether India would retain their 3-man spin-bowling attack or revert back to play 3 frontline pacers like they did in Mumbai.

India played Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav along with Ravindra Jadeja in the Vizag ODI but the bowlers did not have much to do when Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head were going big.

The pitch the MA Chidambaram Stadium is a relaid one, but the surfaces in Chennai have traditionaly favoured the spinners. If India are going in with 3 spinners, all-rounder Shardul Thakur is likely to sit out again. Despite picking up the most wickets for India since the 2019 World Cup in ODIs, Shardul hasn’t got enough opportunities.

On the other hand, India might be tempted to play left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat in place of Mohammed Siraj or Mohammed Shami but the two right-arm pacers will be keen on carrying on with their form after not having much of a workload in Vizag.

It remains to be seen if India will give local boy Washington Sundar a go in place of one of the 3 spinners.

IND vs AUS 3rd ODI PREDICTED XIs

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami.

Australia: Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Steve Smith (Captain), Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (Wicketkeeper), Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa