India vs. Australia: Fifth ODI preview

India vs. Australia: Fifth ODI preview

Preview 
After winning the first two games of the 5-match series, the Indian team were unconvincing in the last two matches as they allowed Australia to level the series. The visitors have now gained plenty of momentum as they registered their highest successful run chase in ODIs, as they chased down 358 runs to go 2-2 up. With dew settling in once again in the latter half of the second innings, the team that wins the toss would be eager to chase.  

Though India look down-and-out in the series, Feroz Shah Kotla is a fortress of many kinds, with the team registering 12 wins in 18 completed ODIs here. They have also won their last six series' at home, and the Men in Blue will be eager to carry forward that record. Though they faced defeat at Mohali, the Indians are likely to go in unchanged, with the Australian expected to field Nathan Lyon in place of Jason Behrendorff, as the track at the Kotla has traditionally assisted the spinners. 

Player Recommendations: 

Wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant (8 credits) 
Pant had a match to forget with the gloves as he dropped chances that allowed Australia back into the game at Mohali. However, he showed glimpses of his aggressive streak with the bat as he managed 36 in only 24 balls, with 4 fours and a six. With just one match left to prove his skills ahead of the World Cup, the youngster will be eager to perform at his home

Preview 
After winning the first two games of the 5-match series, the Indian team were unconvincing in the last two matches as they allowed Australia to level the series. The visitors have now gained plenty of momentum as they registered their highest successful run chase in ODIs, as they chased down 358 runs to go 2-2 up. With dew settling in once again in the latter half of the second innings, the team that wins the toss would be eager to chase.  

Though India look down-and-out in the series, Feroz Shah Kotla is a fortress of many kinds, with the team registering 12 wins in 18 completed ODIs here. They have also won their last six series' at home, and the Men in Blue will be eager to carry forward that record. Though they faced defeat at Mohali, the Indians are likely to go in unchanged, with the Australian expected to field Nathan Lyon in place of Jason Behrendorff, as the track at the Kotla has traditionally assisted the spinners. 

Player Recommendations: 

Wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant (8 credits) 
Pant had a match to forget with the gloves as he dropped chances that allowed Australia back into the game at Mohali. However, he showed glimpses of his aggressive streak with the bat as he managed 36 in only 24 balls, with 4 fours and a six. With just one match left to prove his skills ahead of the World Cup, the youngster will be eager to perform at his home ground to seal a spot. 

Batsman: Rohit Sharma (10 credits) 
The opener returned to form the last time with a fluent 95, but will be kicking himself for not getting the coveted triple-figure. As we have seen in the past, Rohit is the kind of player who likes to make the most of his form and hence he can be expected to be among runs at Delhi again. Australia are likely to field two spinners at the Feroz Shah Kotla, and Rohit, who is a good player of spin, will be eager to push forth for another big knock. 

All-rounder: Glenn Maxwell (9 credits) 
As mentioned before, the track will help the spinners, so the choice for the slot was between the spin bowlers Maxwell and Kedar Jadhav. However, I prefer Maxwell here as he is a more dangerous player with the bat and can notch up quick runs in no time. He has a strike-rate of 120.48 in ODIs and is in fine nick as well - smashing a hundred in the T20Is and then following it up with two scores in the 40s in the 50-over format. 

Bowler: Kuldeep Yadav (9 credits) 
The left-arm unorthodox spinner will be disappointed after an ordinary outing at Mohali, where he picked up a wicket for 64 runs. However, the tweaker has made it a habit of raising his game when the team is under pressure, and one can expect the same from Kuldeep in the upcoming clash. With 9 wickets in the series thus far, Kuldeep has been India's go-to bowler and with Chahal bowling beside him in tandem at Delhi, the batters are likely to feel the heat. 

Captain: Rohit Sharma or Glenn Maxwell
Vice-captain: Kuldeep Yadav

Predicted Playing XI:  


India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah


Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey (wk), Jhye Richardson/Jason Behrendorff, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Waris
This postgraduate in English Literature has taken on the tough task of limiting the mystic world of sports to a few hundred words. A self-confessed Kohli 'bhakt,' she falls in the category who believe that he has long surpassed the greats, yes even Tendulkar!
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