Australia vs India, 2020: 3rd ODI, Canberra – Match Prediction

India and Australia will face each other on Wednesday for the third ODI in Canberra. While the series is decided, there are still 10 ICC World Cup Super League points to play for.

The Steve Smith driven Australia steamrolled over Virat Kohli’s team with victories by a margin of 66 runs and 51 runs in the two ODIs. Expect changes in both the teams, as players will be rested in the dead rubber in view of an important Test series coming up.

The fact that Mayank Agarwal – with no international bowling experience – and Hardik Pandya – who has not bowled for a year – were summoned to provide relief to the main bowlers is an indication of the changes India should make. The bowlers needed some relief from each of the top five Aussie batsmen, in particular, Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell who have carted them to all corners of the SCG in two matches.

Navdeep Saini should be dropped immediately as one of Shardul Thakur or T Natarajan would come in. It won’t be a surprise either if Yuzvendra Chahal is rested from the third ODI – after conceding most runs by an Indian spinner in the first ODI – and replace him with Kuldeep Yadav. It can be expected that a pure bowler might come in place of Mayank Agarwal or Shreyas Iyer.

Aaron Finch has to make at least two changes in the eleven; David Warner is out of the white-ball matches with a groin injury and Pat Cummins is rested in order to be fresh for the Test series. Australia has plenty of options to fill the gaps. They might also consider resting Steve Smith after his two hundreds,  but that is highly unlikely though.

The hosts have not much to worry about except for Mitchell Starc’s form. The left-arm pacer has figures of 1/65 and 0/82. However, his rustiness could be attributed to a lack of high-level cricket as he last played in September in England, and it isn’t far from when Starc will at his menacing best.

Australia vs India, 2020: 3rd ODI, Canberra – Match Prediction

There couldn’t be a more perfect time for Virat Kohli to step up and inspire his teammates. The team has suffered two humiliating losses- can’t imagine anything worse in the third ODI. Kohli was at his aggressive self in the first ODI taking on the Aussie pacers and scored an 87-ball-89 in the second ODI. He is due for a big one, and it could be a positive end to the series if the captain leads the team to a victory.

The prediction is for India to gain some pride back with a win in the third ODI.

Also Read: Australia vs India 2020-21: Aakash Chopra Addresses India’s Most Significant Problem