Indian Cricket Team will have a lot to play for as they lock horns with Australia in the third and final ODI of the series in Canberra on December 2 (Tuesday). With 2-0 down already and the series out of hands, India will look to regain their confidence ahead of the all-important T20Is.
Australia have performed like a well-oiled machine in the previous two games and will be expected to keep up their good job. However, they will miss the service of David Warner, who injured his groin in the 2nd ODI while fielding. This might prompt the management to push Marnus Labuschagne at the top of the order alongside skipper Aaron Finch. Matthew Wade might come in the team in place of Warner.
The bowling line-up will also witness some changes with Pat Cummins rested to manage his workload. Sean Abbott could replace Cummins in the bowling department and share the role alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
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On the other hand, India will hope to get their first points in the Super League table with Wednesday’s clash. They have lost five ODIs on the trot which goes back to the beginning of the series in New Zealand at the start of the year. The Men in Blues are likely to make a couple of changes with Shubman Gill in line to replace Mayank Agarwal at the top.
However, India’s real problem lies in their bowling. The bowlers have struggled to pick wickets with the new balls and Yuzvendra Chahal and Jasprit Bumrah have looked completely ineffective. Kuldeep Yadav might come in while T Natarajan, who impressed in IPL 2020 is also in line for a debut.
India vs Australia: 3rd ODI at Manuka Oval in Canberra from 9:10 AM IST
Predicted Playing XI
India: Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Navdeep Saini/Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami/T Natarajan, Yuzvendra Chahal/Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
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Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade/Cam Green, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschange, Moises Henriques, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
Match Prediction – Who will win the match?
Australia have never lost an international game at the venue in six attempts, including four ODIs, and will be favourites to seal a 3-0 series win and affirm their position at the top of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League table.
India will have to outplay the hosts and play their best cricket if they want to give themselves any chances of preventing a clean sweep.
