WATCH: MS Dhoni sweats it out in the nets ahead of the 3rd ODI
After the historic 2-1 Test series win over Australia, India will have another opportunity to make history at Melbourne on Friday. India have never won a bilateral ODI series in Australia and Virat Kohli & Co. have the perfect opportunity to finish the series on a stunning note as they take on Australia in the series decider.
After a disappointing defeat in the first ODI, India came back strong to beat the hosts at Adelaide in a thrilling encounter. MS Dhoni, who was criticized a lot for his slow innings in the first ODI at Sydney, played a match-winning 54 off 53 balls in the second ODI.
Now the attention turns to Melbourne as Virat Kohli & Co. chase history once again. Without Hardik Pandya, India are yet to figure out their best XI in ODIs. Though Jadeja has played well, both Siraj and Khaleel Ahmed struggled with the ball.
Vijay Shankar or Kedar Jadhav might get a look in if India wants to have a sixth bowling option in the XI. Rayudu has struggled for runs and his place in the XI for the third ODI is far from certain.
One big positive that came out of the second ODI at Adelaide was Dhoni's brilliant knock. He desperately needed that innings and it eased the pressure on the former Indian captain. It was a vintage Dhoni is Adelaide as he mixed patience with aggression and played one of those typical Dhoni knocks.
Ahead of the third One Day International at Melbourne, MS Dhoni was seen practicing at the nets.
Dhoni is key to India's fortunes at the 2019 World Cup in England and his return to form could not have come at a better time. He has scored two consecutive fifties in the series and looked good in the middle. Is it going to be the year of Dhoni? Only time will tell.