After losing the 4th One day international at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, India takes on Australia in fifth and final ODI at VCA Stadium, Nagpur. Team India made three changes in Bengaluru with Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav not playing. Virat Kohli tested the bench strength including Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Axar Patel included in playing XI.
Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav could not provide early wickets for team India. Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal also went for many runs. Despite the Indian bowlers picking wickets, Australia posted a massive total of 334 in 50 overs. In the batting department, Rohit Sharma and Rahane put up 106 runs stand for the first wicket. Indian tested Hardik Pandya at number 4, Kedar Jadhav at 5, Manish Pandey at number 6. MS Dhoni was tried at number 7 but could not finish the match. Hardik Pandya made 41, Kedar Jadhav scored 67 and Manish Pandey 33 runs. MS Dhoni batted low down the order but it was a tough ask for him to finish the game for India. Team India lost the match by 21 runs as they finished 313 for 8 in 50 overs.
Australia openers David Warner and Aaron Finch gave the team a great start with both of them adding 231 runs for the first wicket. David Warner scored 124 while Finch 94. Peter Handscomb scored quick fire 43 while Stoinis made 15 in 9 balls to post a massive total of 334 for 5 in 50 overs.
In the bowling department, the Australian bowlers did not get to a great start. Nathan Coulter Nile, Kane Richardson, and Pat Cummins bowled well. In death overs, Kane Richardson bowled with great control not allowing the Indian batsmen to score runs easily.
The final and fifth ODI to be played at Nagpur should be a sporting wicket according to the pitch curator. In 2016 World T20 Cup between India and New Zealand the pitch helped spinners. India will be eyeing the number 1 spot in ODI rankings after their loss in 4th ODI.
India should bring in Bumrah or Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Australia won their first match in away ODI’s after 14 matches. It would be interesting to see if Australia could continue the winning momentum or India come back strongly.