Australia vs India, 2020: 1st ODI, Sydney: India Predicted XI

Finally, after months of anticipation, the India tour of Australia is finally set to begin with the three-match ODI series, the first the which will be played at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday, November 27.

This will be the first time that India will play an international rubber following the coronavirus-enforced lockdown. The Men in Blue are grappling with the absence of Rohit Sharma, who has been ruled out of the white-ball leg of the tour due to a hamstring injury.

So, what will be the make-up of Team India’s playing XI for the 1st ODI? Here’s a look:

Shikhar Dhawan

In the absence of his regular opening partner, the onus will be on the veteran southpaw to lead the way for the tourists at the top of the order.

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Dhawan has been in cracking form of-late. He is coming off a reputation enhancing IPL campaign, where he scored 618 runs at 44.6.

Dhawan’s record against Australia has been stellar over the years. In 26 ODI innings, the southpaw has 1145 runs to his name at an average of 45.80 and a strike-rate of 98.79. His last ODI scores against Australia read: 117, 74, 96.

Mayank Agarwal

However, considering the fact it’s Agarwal who opened in India’s last ODI rubber in New Zealand and given the way he performed in the IPL, the Karnataka batsman should get the nod. If he does, Mayank will look to shrugg off the lack of returns in New Zealand.

Virat Kohli [C]

With Rohit Sharma not in the squad for the white-ball rubber, King Kohli will have an added responsibility against his shoulders.

The Indian captain loves batting Australia irrespective of formats. Kohli has 1910 runs against Australia at an average of 54.57 with 8 hundred in just 38 innings. If he adds another 90 to his tally in the three matches, he will join an exclusive list of batsmen who have scored more than 2000 runs in ODIs against Australia.

Besides that, Virat is just 133 runs away from becoming the fastest to 12000 ODI runs. The legendary cricketer currently has 11,867 runs against his name in just 239 innings, followed by Sachin Tendulkar, who managed the same in 300 innings. The Indian captain will also have the opportunity to leapfrog Ricky Ponting and become the second-highest century-maker in international cricket. He currently has 70 while Punter has 71.

Shreyas Iyer

Since the 2019 World Cup, Shreyas Iyer has given what India has missed at the No.4 spot for a number of years now: stability.

Iyer has played six ODIs this year and he is India’s 2nd highest run-getter, having managed 272 runs at an average of 54.40 and a strike-rate of 94.44.

He scored his maiden ODI ton in New Zealand and will be hoping for similar returns in what is his maiden outing in Australia.

KL Rahul (WK)

KL Rahul said during a pre-match virtual conference that he would love to bat at whichever position his team wants him to. He, however, also added that he has enjoyed batting in his new role at No.5 in ODI cricket this year.

And, the numbers reflect that too. Rahul smashed a 52-ball 80 in his very first outing at No.5 earlier this year and he followed that up with a brilliant three-match series in New Zealand, where he racked up 204 runs in three outings at an average of 204 with the help of a half-century and a hundred.

Rahul and Iyer will be primed with the job to spearhead the middle-order.

Hardik Pandya

This will be an important series for Hardik Pandya. Not only because he is coming off a long injury layoff but also because for the first time in his career he will be playing as a specialist batsman.

Hardik did not bowl throughout the IPL and is unlikely to so in the Australian series, which means neither of the Indian top-6 offers anything with the ball.

Also, with India having a long tail, which is not the case with his IPL franchise, it will be interesting to see his approach.

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja is the only Indian bowler who offers pedigree with the bat. Jadeja was in cracking form in the IPL, and he and Hardik will have to shoulder the responsibility of giving a final-overs impetus to India.

Jadeja’s record with the ball against Australia leaves a lot to be desired though. His 27 wickets against the Aussies have come at an average of 55.37 and considering the fact that he is one of the two spinners in the team, his performance in the middle-overs will be really crucial.

Navdeep Saini

Navdeep Saini had a difficult IPL campaign and the right-handed bolter will be looking to redeem himself in the upcoming series.

Saini, however, impressed in his ODI outings against Australia and New Zealand earlier this year and should get the nod ahead of Shardul Thakur in the playing 11.

Yuzvendra Chahal

With Ravindra Jadeja occupying one of two specialist spinners’ spot, it leaves India with no option but to choose between Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

Chahal, however, could get the nod ahead of Kuldeep, considering the current form of the duo in the IPL. While Chahal finished as one of the leading wicket-takers, Kuldeep played a handful of games for KKR before he was confined to the bench.

Chahal’s last outing in Australia saw him claim his career-best figures of 6-42.

Mohammed Shami

No fast bowler in the world has taken more ODI wickets than Mohammed Shami’s 50 since the start of January 2019.

Shami has claimed 50 scalps in just 25 innings at an average of 24.24 and an economy rate of 5.65 with the help of three four-wicket-hauls and one 5-for.

Shami was brilliant in the recently concluded IPL and India will hope that he continues with his form in the upcoming series.

Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah has been the lynchpin of the India attack for a number of years now and his lack of wickets in New Zealand earlier this year was one of the major reasons why India struggled substantially.

In six ODIs this year, Bumrah has managed just 1 wicket at an average of 287. But one must also bear in mind that the champion bowler was returning from an injury layoff back then.

And, if his exploits in the IPL- 27 wickets in 14 games- is anything to go by, Bumrah looks like he is back to his best, and he will be gunning to add a few more wickets to his tally, come the ODI series.

Also Read- Australia vs India, 2020: 1st ODI, Sydney: Australia Predicted XI