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IND vs AUS 3rd ODI Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IND vs AUS 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 | IND vs AUS 3rd ODI Dream11 | India vs Australia 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

For the third straight India vs Australia ODI series, we move to a decider.

On the first occasion, an MS Dhoni-inspired India won in Australia. Two months later, Australia returned serve with an incredible come-from-behind 3-2 series win in India.

Now, we are locked at 1-1. Sure, this series may not have the build-up to a World Cup associated to it, but it is two rivals going head-to-head in the battle for bragging rights. India bounced back in excellent fashion in Rajkot, and now have the chance to enjoy their own come-from-behind win in the batting paradise that is the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Shikhar Dhawan is considered a good chance of playing the third ODI amid injury concerns. He is enjoying a fine run of form vs Australia: two hundreds and two fifties in his past five knocks against them.
• Virat Kohli was a man on a mission in Rajkot, back at his beloved number three. Interestingly, Kohli has a poor record at his IPL home ground in ODIs, with 63 runs in five ODIs at an average of 12.60.
• It was KL Rahul who stole the show with an incredible knock at Rajkot, playing with freedom in his 80 (52).
• Rohit Sharma is in doubt for this game with injury. If he is out, it will be a blow as he has a century and fifty in three ODIs at Bengaluru.
• David Warner scored a century on this ground vs India in 2017. Aaron Finch scored 94 in the same game.
• Also, Warner has four fifties in seven IPL games on this ground.
• Steve Smith (98) and Marnus Labuschagne (46) kept Australia in with a shout in the previous ODI.
• Australia’s leg-spinner, Adam Zampa, is having a fine series. He dismissed Kohli in the first two games (and five times in ODIs), with five wickets this series. Kuldeep Yadav picked up two crucial wickets in Rajkot, which could mean he keeps his spot.
• However, spinners can often find the going tough in Bengaluru.
• Jasprit Bumrah took a single wicket in Rajkot, but the threat he provided proved significant in the end result. The likes of Shami and Saini benefited.
• Mitchell Starc will be out for a better match after conceding 78 last game. He has 12 wickets in 10 IPL games in Bengaluru.

Head-to-Head

• Australia won the last meeting vs India in Bengaluru.
• Both matches between Australia and India at Bengaluru have been high scoring (match aggregates of 749 and 647).

Key to an India win

Whether KL Rahul has solved India’s middle order muddle remains to be seen. However, it would be comforting for the top three to know that someone of Rahul’s ability is to come as they go about their business. Indeed, even if Rohit is out, India can bank on the in-form Shikhar Dhawan to lead the way along with Virat Kohli.

Also, India roared back with the ball in Rajkot. Key to this was Jasprit Bumrah’s equal balance of threat and control in the early overs, along with the early wicket of Warner, which put India in the driving seat. Also, India’s persistence in the middle overs is what captain Kohli will want more of in good batting conditions.

Key to an Australia win

Similar to the first ODI, Australia had hung in with the ball at Rajkot as India’s top order looked to set up a big score. When KL Rahul walked in at 198/3 in the 33rd over on a belter, Australia missed an opportunity to hold their own in the death overs. They need a more complete effort, much like the first ODI.

Also, David Warner’s early dismissal in Rajkot gave India such a strong foothold in the game. Much rests on Warner, as well as Finch (who struggled last game) to go some way to achieving another strong opening stand. With the likes of Smith and Labuschagne to follow, Australia can build towards a big score.

Possible Playing 11

Rohit Sharma is in doubt with a shoulder injury, as Shikhar Dhawan has reportedly been deemed fit to play after copping a blow in the ribs last game. Also, it remains to be seen whether Rishabh Pant has recovered sufficiently from concussion.

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

For Australia, Josh Hazlewood could play ahead of Kane Richardson.

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

Bengaluru Pitch Report and Conditions

Bangalore = batting paradise. That is almost always the case; it has certainly proven so in India vs Australia matches on this ground.

The weather is forecast to be fine for the match.

Dream11 Prediction

* Awaiting further news on Rohit’s fitness.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

The result is uncertain. It is what makes the India-Australia rivalry so intriguing.

Given the strength of both batting lineups, plus the beautiful batting conditions, it should be a 300+ vs 300+ game. Whose way it goes is up in the air, but if Starc, Finch and Warner can fire, Australia can seal a series win. That’s what my heart says.

Thanks for reading!

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:

Also read: Dream11 content for you to enjoy on CricBlog:

• 6 tips to increase chances of winning in Dream11
• MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
• 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!