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India is all set to take on Australia in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. While the Men in Blue stitched a five-wicket win against the Kangaroos in the series opener in Mohali, once again focus will be on the boxes unchecked before the World Cup. While the half-century by Suryakumar Yadav was a massive plus in the last game, there are two key areas which the management would be focusing on.
The first will be the form of Shreyas Iyer. Returning from a long injury layoff, the right-handed batter in India’s Group stage fixture against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 until he played a well-timed stroke staight to the fielder. However, he then picked up a back spasm and KL Rahul made the most of the opportunity he got in Iyer’s place. With the big guns resting in this match, this should be Iyer’s turn to make a solid case for himself ahead of the World Cup.
The other, of course, will be the form Ravichandran Ashwin. He was economical and picked up a wicket in the opening game and more eyses will be on him. He even practiced batting after the match suggesting that the management may have had a word with him to be ready as the team might need him to chip in with the bat, if he is being considered in place of an injured Axar Patel in the squad. Washington Sundar is also being considered for that role and the team has to find a way to slot him in before they make that call.
As far as Australia is concerned, they too would look to try and test their combinations. With all-rounder Marcus Stoinis unlikely to play back-to-back games in a short turnaround, Aaron Hardie could replace him. Josh Hazelwood could also return and if the visitors don’t mind that combination then the pacer could even take the place of Stoinis. Australia too will still be away from their best possible XI ahead of the World Cup.
All in all, things look set for a great game of cricket with so much to look forward to as KL Rahul-led India take on Pat Cummins’ Australia in Indore which is a high-scoring ground.
India vs Austraia Probable Playing 11s:
India: Ruturaj Gaikwad/Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (captain & wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj/Jasprit Bumrah.
Australia: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis/Aaron Hardie, Pat Cummins (captain), Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
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