hero-image

Australia vs India 2018/19: Predicting India's team combination for the third ODI

The Indian team last won an ODI series in Australia in 2008.
The Indian team last won an ODI series in Australia in 2008.

After winning their maiden Test series in Australia, the Indian cricket team suffered a setback in the three-match ODI series, when they lost the opening match at Sydney by 34 runs.

However, the men in blue, fought back to win the second ODI at Adelaide by six wickets on the back of a superb century by skipper Virat Kohli and crucial cameos by MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Kartik to level the series 1-1.

Now with the series level at 1-1, Kohli and his men will look forward to win their first limited over series Down Under since 2008 when they take on the hosts in the third and final ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

With series on the line, it looks very unlikely that Indian team would change its winning combination from its previous game at Adelaide.

But, still let us have a look at India's predicted playing XI for the crucial third ODI against Australia at Melbourne.


#1 Openers

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are key to India's success in World Cup 2019.
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are key to India's success in World Cup 2019.

The Indian vice-captain, Rohit Sharma began 2019 with a bang, scoring a superb century in the first ODI at Sydney. Rohit, also scored a handy 43 runs at Adelaide to lay the foundation for India's successful run chase in the second match of the series.

With 176 runs from two matches, Rohit Sharma is currently India's leading run scorer in the series and hence will look forward to continuing his good run with the bat in the third ODI at Melbourne.

On the other hand, Rohit's partner in crime Shikhar Dhawan has so far had a poor run in the three-match ODI series, as Dhawan has been dismissed for 0 and 32 in the starting two matches respectively.

Hence, Dhawan will look to get some runs under his belt in the third ODI, before the commencement of crucial limited overs series in New Zealand.

You may also like