With World Cup just two weeks away, India begin dress rehearsal for the mega event and all eyes will be on Shreyas Iyer, R Ashwin, and Suryakumar Yadav who haven’t had game time.
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 will be 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 is likely to be rested for Prasidh Krishna and Mohammad Shami in IND vs AUS 1st ODI.
With KL Rahul back in a leadership role, India have quite a few decisions to make as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya are rested from the first two ODIs.
- 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? – Another area is match practice. Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar are not in World Cup squad. But are they still in the running for World Cup? India can still make changes to the squad by September 28. With Mohd Shami down in the pecking order, should India pick Prasidh Krishna instead in India Playing XI vs AUS in 1st ODI? In any case, both Prasidh and Shami are likely to partner Bumrah in the India vs Australia 1st ODI.
If Asian Games is the priority, Tilak Varma should get a chance. But as Shreyas Iyer hardly had any match practice, he will be the designated No 4 in India Playing XI vs AUS. Tilak may get a chance next match. But the series is all about Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav getting some quality practice.
Suryakumar Yadav also 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 may be 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 or Prasidh haven’t had.
Predicted India Playing XI vs AUS 1st ODI
- Ishan Kishan
- Shubman Gill
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (WK)
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Ravindra Jadeja
- R Ashwin
- Mohd Shami
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Prasidh Krishna
Ashwin or Washington? – The biggest headache is to decide which off-spinner plays. India have recalled Ashwin as reported by InsideSport back in August. Ashwin hasn’t played an ODI since South Africa tour in January last year. Washington Sundar has also been on the sidelines mostly due to injuries.
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