India vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Bengaluru: Preview, likely XIs, prediction

It’s all poised very nicely ahead of the third and final ODI between India and Australia in Bengaluru on Sunday, 19 January. Australia steamrolled India in the first ODI, India paid back in kind in the second, and it’s anyone’s guess which way the third match will go.

It has to be said India were impressive in Rajkot. They were put to bat again, but there were no struggles this time. Instead, India put up a mammoth 340/6, despite no batsman scoring a century – the closest anyone came to the mark was Shikhar Dhawan, who scored 96 off 90, but Virat Kohli’s 78 and the impressive KL Rahul’s 52-ball 80 massively helped too.

The bowlers showed up too. Mohammed Shami returned a fine 3/77, while all of Navdeep Saini, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav took two each. Australia were bundled out for 304, and it was a complete performance from the Indian side. The question is, can they repeat it in Bengaluru?

It’s a ground their captain Kohli knows all too well. It’s expected to be another run-fest, and India’s performance in the second ODI will only buoy them. However, they will be aware of not ignoring the riches of Australia. It should be an absolute cracker.

Head to head

These two sides have now clashed in 139 ODIs. Australia, due to their dominance in the 1990s and 2000s, have won 78 of those matches. India have 51 wins though, and in the last five years, the rivalry has been fairly even – India’s 11 wins against Australia’s 12.

Key players

KL Rahul (India): Over the last year, Rahul has become vital to this ODI side. He can play anywhere in the batting line-up, and excel. He excelled as an opener, he excelled in the middle order – as he did in Rajkot – and he also put in an excellent shift behind the stumps. He’s crucial to the balance of the side.  

Pat Cummins (Australia): Australia will hope to make early inroads against India, like they did in the first ODI, and the performance Cummins is crucial in them doing so. India will handle him with care. But even then, he’ll prove a handful.

Likely XIs

India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Manish Pandey, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa

Prediction

This is a tough one to call, but let’s go with India to sneak it.