ICC World Cup 2019: Match 14, India vs Australia - India's Predicted Playing XI

Indian National Cricket Team have begun their ICC World Cup 2019 campaign with a win over South Africa by six wickets at Southampton. They will hope to keep up the winning run going when India take on Australia in their second game of the tournament on June 9 (Sunday) at the Kennington Oval in London.

Virat Kohli & Co went with two spinners and two pacers in the first game and might retain the winning combination. Kohli has preferred to keep his team intact with Hardik Pandya and Kedar Jadhav donning the all-rounder’s hat. Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan failed to get going with the bat and the top three will have to score runs in India want to put a good total on the board.

The bowlers will also be up for a challenge against the in-form Australian batsmen. However, they know what it takes to play against the Aussies and will be up for the challenge. It will be a daunting task for India to overcome the challenge and register their second win of the competition.

Here is the predicted XI of India for match 14 of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019 against Australia at the Kennington Oval in London:

Also read: ICC World Cup 2019: It is Going to be a Difficult Game, Bangladesh is a Good Side – Eoin Morgan

ROHIT SHARMA

Rohit Sharma played a magical knock against South Africa on a difficult Southampton track. That unbeaten century will give Rohit immense confidence, and the vice-captain of the team will be keen to keep up the excellent job going in the World Cup.

SHIKHAR DHAWAN

Shikhar Dhawan has been India’s go-to man in the ICC tournament. However, the southpaw is yet to fire in England. The management will look forward to Dhawan to play a big knock against Australia who are coming back from ten consecutive ODI wins.

VIRAT KOHLI

Virat Kohli had a rare off day in business in the game against South Africa. However, the India skipper will be desperate to be among the runs against a quality Aussie attack and lead his team from the front. Kohli’s form with the bat will more or less decide India’s future in the World Cup.

KL RAHUL

KL Rahul settled the middle order debates with a brilliant century in the second warm-up game. The Karnataka batsman got a start in the last match but failed to finish it. Rahul will have to shoulder the responsibility and score runs if India want to post daddy totals on the scoreboard.

MS DHONI

MS Dhoni has been in form since the start of 2019 and played a crucial hand in the last game against South Africa. Although there has been a buzz with his wicket-keeping gloves, Dhoni knows how to focus on his business. His presence in the team will be a massive advantage for Virat Kohli and the young spinners.

KEDAR JADHAV

Kedar Jadhav bowled four overs in the last game and was impressive. However, his main will be to provide stability to the lower-middle order with the bat. Kedar has not been among the run recently and will look to put some runs behind his back.

HARDIK PANDYA

Hardik Pandya has been in outstanding form leading to the tournament with both bat and ball. Many have tipped the dynamic all-rounder to be India’s X-factor in the competition. Playing his first World Cup, Pandya will want to put his best foot forward and leave a mark for himself.

BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s inclusion in the playing XI ahead of Mohammed Shami surprised everybody. Meanwhile, Kumar used all his experience to produce a good effort against South Africa and especially did an excellent job in the death overs picking two crucial wickets.

KULDEEP YADAV

Kuldeep Yadav has finally found his confidence back after a dismal IPL season. Virat Kohli & Co will hope Kuldeep to recreate his magic in the middle overs to restrict the defending champions to a small total.

JASPRIT BUMRAH

Jasprit Bumrah was of top-class with the new ball against South Africa removing both the openers. The top-ranked ODI bowler will want to repeat the same against Australia and help India get off to a positive start.

YUZVENDRA CHAHAL

Yuzvendra Chahal had a dream World Cup debut picking four wickets against South Africa. However, he will have a tough challenge when India faces Australia at Nottingham. The Men in Blues will want wickets from Chahal in the middle overs to contain the in-form Aussie batters.