India vs Australia 2020: Third ODI Predicted 11- Key Pacer to be rested!

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India vs Australia 2020: Team India to make 3 major changes as we look at the third ODI predicted playing 11.

Not the kind of sight, the number 2 ranked ODI team, Team India would have hoped for before the beginning of the 3-match ODI series. But, they have been literally shattered in both the ODIs so far with over 350+ target given to chase, and Team India failing to chase in both of them.

The bowlers including the likes of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yuzvendra Chahal, have all been toothless even after being so successful in the recently concluded IPL. They have lacked the depth to take wickets, and have been very expensive. The batting too has been slightly old school with lack of partnerships hurting India the most.

With Team India 0-2 down in the series, will the third match see Team India play for pride, and make no changes to the squad, or will Team India rest their key players to give them rest before the all-important Test series? That’s the most important question before the third ODI.

Given the ODI series doesn’t make any difference to Team India’s World Cup 2023 Qualification as they have already qualified as the host, it won’t be a surprise if India rest these three key players to give them enough rest before the all-important Test series.

Match Details:

Occasion	Third ODI, Australia vs India
Location	Canberra
Date & Time	December 2, 9:10 am IST

ODIs at Canberra:

India: P: 2 || W: 0 || L: 2

Australia: P: 4 || W: 4 || L: 0

Predicted Playing XI – Team India

Openers: Shikhar Dhawan || Sanju Samson

Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal have been decent as a pair having given 50+ partnership in both the ODIs so far. However, Mayank hasn’t been able to convert the starts, and has fallen prey to poor shot selection. Meanwhile, Dhawan managed to score a half-century in the first ODI, but failed in the second one.

Looking at the context, Dhawan should continue playing in the third ODI as he isn’t playing Tests. Mayank, who is Team India’s first-choice Test opener at the moment, might be rested, but instead of him either of Sanju Samson or Shubman Gill might get a go with the former’s chances looking more probable.

Middle-order: Virat Kohli (C) || Shreyas Iyer || KL Rahul (VC & WK) || Hardik Pandya

Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya should continue being the core of the middle-order. Looking at the situation, it is unlikely any one of them to be rested. Even KL Rahul, who looks the most probable to get a rest owing to Test series, should continue as he needs to improve his wicket-keeping skills.

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja

With Hardik reluctant to bowl even though he did in the second ODI, Ravindra Jadeja is the only available all-rounder for Team India at number 7. It is unlikely India would drop or rest him. Moreover, he has been decent in both the departments so far.

Bowlers: Navdeep Saini || Shardul Thakur || T Natarajan || Yuzvendra Chahal

The bowling department should see two major changes with Team India’s premier Test match bowlers, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah expected to be rested. Instead, Team India would play T Natarajan and Shardul Thakur. That means, T Natarajan should get his ODI debut cap.

Meanwhile, even after a horrific show in both the ODIs, Saini should continue as he can only improve if he continues playing. Chahal, who too hasn’t had the bests of series so far should continue playing unless India are desperate to play Kuldeep Yadav, which looks unlikely.

Australia vs India 2020 Third ODI Predicted Playing 11 for Team India:

Shikhar Dhawan, Sanju Samson, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (VC & WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Navdeep Saini, T Natarajan, Shardul Thakur, and Yuzvendra Chahal

For Australia, D’Arcy Short for David Warner would be a forced change, or the team can also try opening with Marcus Stonis, who can play purely as a batsman. Apart from that, the team can look to rest Cummins, Starc, and owing to the hectic upcoming Test series.

Australia vs India 2020 Third ODI Predicted Playing 11 for Australia:

Aaron Finch (C), Marcus Stoinis / D’Arcy Short, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques, Alex Carey (WK), Andrew Tye, Daniel Sams, Adam Zampa, and Sean Abbott.

Thanks for reading! What’s your predicted playing 11 for the third ODI between India vs Australia? Please, let us know in the comments below.

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