India vs Australia 2017: Predicted Lineup For Fourth Game

Team India sealed the ongoing five-match series with a thumping 5-wicket win over Australia in the third ODI, thus taking an unassailable 3-0 lead. Batting first, Australia rode on Aaron Finch’s century to post a challenging 293 for 6. However, India, led by Pandya’s 78, chased down the total inside 48 overs to seal the series. While no team likes to tinker with the winning combination but with the series already in pocket, Team India has got the cushion to continue its experimentation.

So here we are taking a look at the possible lineup with which India can take on the battered world champions in the upcoming game.

1. Rohit Sharma:

After two rare failures in the first couple of games of the series, Rohit Sharma finally found back his form as he scored a stunning 71 to lay the foundation for the chase in the third ODI. He will be keen to continue his good form on the ground where he had scored the world-record 264 against the same opposition 4 years ago.

2. Ajinkya Rahane:

With Shikhar Dhawan not included in the squad for the last two ODIs, Ajinkya Rahane will open the innings again. The right-handed batsman, who was the highest run-scorer in the ODI series against West Indies, has already scored two half-centuries in the series and will be desperate to make the most of the chances.

3. Virat Kohli:

The India skipper ended his poor patch against the team from Down Under by scoring  a brilliant 92 in the second game at the Eden Gardens but failed to get going in the third ODI. With just two games remaining, the 28-year old will be looking to play some big knocks and he could not have asked for a better venue than Bangalore to find back his mojo against the visitors.

4. KL Rahul:

The team management has already made it clear that the Test opener will be fully backed and considering that the team series is already decided, Rahul can get a chance to prove himself.

5. Manish Pandey:

The right-handed batsman played a crucial knock in the third ODI which will probably give him some more time in the playing eleven. Included in the team as Rahul’s replacement at number 4, Manish managed only 3 and a duck in the first two games but scored a 32-ball 36 in the last game to take India home.

6. MS Dhoni:

The in-form veteran batsman did not get to face too many balls but had a brilliant outing behind the stumps. Will look to finish the series on a high.

7. Hardik Pandya:

The man of the moment had yet another memorable outing in Indore. The allrounder, who had scored a career-best 83 in the series-opener, was sent to bat at number 4 and it turned out to a masterstroke as he played a brilliant knock of 78 to help India chase down the total with ease.

8. Axar Patel:

The left-arm spinner, who had impressed in Sri Lanka,missed the first three games due to injury but can get a place in the playing eleven in the upcoming game.

9. Mohammed Shami:

With the series already in India’s favour, the team management can bring in Shami for the next game.  The right-arm pacer, who was India’s second highest wicket-taker in 2015 World Cup, is an important part of the Test team but has not featured regularly in 50-over format.

10. Yuzvendra Chahal:

On a pitch where Kuldeep Yadav was taken to cleaners, Chahal once again proved his mettle by conceding less than 6 runs per over in addition to dismissing the dangerous Glenn Maxwell.

11. Jasprit Bumrah:

Bumrah, who was the highest wicket-taker in Sri Lanka, was instrumental in restricting Australia to 293 after Aaron Finch’s century had put them on path of a huge score. He also managed to pick up a couple of wickets after going wicketless in the second game.