Nagpur: Auditions for the World Cup hopefuls will continue but India will also be aiming to produce another complete performance against Australia in the second ODI here Tuesday.
The Virat Kohli led team ticked all the boxes to thrash Australia by six wickets in the series opener Saturday. It was a welcome win for India after losing the T20 series 0-2.
With only four ODIs remaining before the World Cup, the hosts will look to finalise the ‘two available spots’ in an otherwise settled squad for the all important tournament.
Both Rohit Sharma and Kohli are always hungry for runs and if the duo fires in unison at the VCA stadium, then the visitors are in for a hard time.
Ambati Rayudu failed in the first game but knowing his abilities and the backing he has from the team management, his place in the playing eleven is not in danger.
Pint-sized Maharashtra batsman Kedar Jadhav, who steered the team home with an unbeaten 81 Saturday, has more or less sealed the number six position. He is also useful with his right-arm off-breaks, making him more valuable to the side.
MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 59 proved that his finishing skills are not on the wane. Dhoni and Jadhav now form a vital cog in India’s middle order, especially when the top order fails.
India’s bowling, spearheaded by death-overs specialist Jasprit Bumrah, has been impeccable and it reflected in the first ODI, when he made the Aussies dance to his tunes. Along with the Gujarat pacer, Mohammed Shami is proving to be a lethal weapon in Kohli’s armoury.
Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav (2-46 in the first ODI) has been leading the spin attack and is effective in the middle overs. But, it will be interesting to see if Ravindra Jadeja, who remained wicketless in his miserly effort, gets another chance or Yuzvendra Chahal comes back to the playing XI.
PTI
