Last Updated on 9 months ago by Charbel Coorey

IND vs AUS 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IND vs AUS 2nd ODI Dream11 | India vs Australia 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction | India vs Australia 2nd ODI Key Players | IND vs AUS 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction

What was that in Mumbai?

India, so proud of their home record, were absolutely humbled in front of a large, passionate crowd. The people of Mumbai witnessed plenty of big hitting, but only off the bats of David Warner and Aaron Finch, after Australia ran riot in a 10-wicket win.

But, in such an impressive performance from the openers, it can be easy to forget how good the Aussie bowlers were. Virat Kohli has vowed that India will take more risks in the second ODI; with the series now on the line, they have no choice but to.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• It is incredible to think where Aaron Finch was 12 months ago. At the mercy of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Finch was constantly caught in front of his stumps.
• But, his adjustment in getting his front pad out of the way has been clear. Following on from a prolific 2019 (1,141 runs at 51.86), Finch was absolutely outstanding in his 110* in Mumbai.
• David Warner and white-ball cricket in India: A better love story than Twilight. He averages 74.60 in six ODIs in India, along with 43.17 in 126 IPL innings.
• Warner and Finch average over 85 as a pair vs India in ODIs.
• Virat Kohli averages 63.39 in 180 ODIs at number three. Safe to say that he should return to that position. He and Rohit Sharma both have ODI half centuries in Rajkot.
• Kohli’s last few scores at the No. 4 position in ODIs read: 16, 7, 12, 11, 3*, 4 and 9, dating back to January 2015.
• Rohit’s three knocks vs Australia before the last game: 95, 56, 57. Again, how he deals with Mitchell Starc will be key.
• Shikhar Dhawan’s last two ODIs vs Australia: 117 and 74.
• Rishabh Pant is out with concussion. So Kedar Jadhav, who averages 45 vs Australia, could come in to the Indian team.
• Steve Smith wasn’t needed in Mumbai. When he is needed, Australia can count on him. He averages over 50 in ODIs vs India.
• Mitchell Starc (3) and Pat Cummins (2) combined for five wickets in Mumbai. They were particularly impressive.
• Jasprit Bumrah (avg. 32.76 vs AUS) needs to lead the way in this game. His economy rate of 7.14 was the least expensive of the Indian seamers in Mumbai. Big improvement needed from every Indian bowler.

Head-to-Head Stat:

• Australia have won their past four ODIs in India, dating back to March 2019.
• “Winning two series in a row would be a big deal” – Adam Zampa. Zampa has dismissed Kohli six times in ODIs.

Key to an India win

While 255 was always under-par in Mumbai, India’s lack of effectiveness with the ball was a big worry. Jasprit Bumrah is easing his way back after a back injury, but Virat Kohli needs his main man, with support from his other seamers, to break the dangerous Australian opening partnership early.

It is then on the spinners to work well in the middle overs. Also, the batsmen need to be better in this period, after falling apart in Mumbai. India lost 9/121 after being well-placed to make a 300+ score. Indeed, it is well-and-good (and necessary) for the top three to make a score, but everyone needs to contribute.

Key to an Australia win

It can be easy to forget how impressive Australia’s bowlers were in Mumbai. Even when India were one for 100-odd, the Aussies never lost their cool, with Aaron Finch maintaining well-set fields, justified by his bowlers. Then, led by Starc and Cummins, Australia got on a roll. Can they repeat the effort, this time getting past at least two of India’s top three?

Also, eyes will be on Aaron Finch and David Warner. Their partnership in Mumbai was something truly special, smashing a capable Indian attack to all parts. But, it is unfair to expect the exact same in Rajkot, so will the middle be ready to deliver right away when called on?

Possible Playing 11

India have rightly come in for criticism regarding how often they change their batting lineup. Given that Virat Kohli didn’t come in until nearly the 30th over in Mumbai, there is a good chance he’ll go back to three.

Rishabh Pant has been ruled out with concussion, which means KL Rahul will keep. Manish Pandey comes into the team six. Also, Shardul Thakur could make way for Navdeep Saini.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. KL Rahul (wk), 5. Shreyas Iyer, 6. Manish Pandey, 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Mohammed Shami, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Navdeep Saini, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Australia have no reason to change their XI.

Australia: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. David Warner, 3. Steve Smith, 4. Marnus Labuschagne, 5. Ashton Turner, 6. Alex Carey (wk), 7. Ashton Agar, 8. Pat Cummins, 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Kane Richardson

Rajkot Pitch Report and Conditions

The Rajkot pitch looks a good one for batting. Some grass clippings have been removed from the track, ready in time for the Friday afternoon start.

The forecast is pleasant in Rajkot: mid 20s and sunny.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

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• Pros and cons of Dream11’s deadline decision

Match Prediction

My head said India in the first ODI. Heart said Australia.

Given how well Australia have played in India in their past four ODIs, it is tough to go past the Aussies getting another win. They look more settled than India, who continue to make changes.

Thanks for reading!