Team India sealed the ongoing five-match series against Australia in style by winning the first three games. After two comprehensive wins in Chennai and Kolkata, the Men in Blue thrashed the visitors by 5 wickets in the third ODI at Indore to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
With the team being in such a great form, there are speculations that the selectors will not disturb the winning combination but with an eye on the next World Cup, and the selectors only brought Axar Patel back.
Squad for the remaining two games:
1. Rohit Sharma:
After two average outings, the star opener regained his red-hot form with a 71-run knock in the third ODI and will be keen to continue his form in the next games too.
2. KL Rahul:
KL Rahul is yet to get a game in the ongoing series and with India taking an unassailable lead of 3-0, KL may get a chance in the remaining matches against Australia.
3. Ajinkya Rahane:
After the failure in the first game, the right-handed batsman pressed his claim for a regular place in the playing eleven by scoring two consecutive half-centuries. But while he is certain to be named in the squad, he is likely to make way for Shikhar Dhawan in the playing eleven.
4. Virat Kohli:
The India skipper finally managed to do well against the team from Down Under. After a forgettable Test series earlier this year where he managed to score just 46 in 3 Tests, he had started the ODI series on the same dismal note, getting out for a duck. However, he got back to his best at the Eden Gardens, scoring a brilliant 92. He scored 28 in the third ODI and will be eyeing a big knock in the remaining games.
5. KL Rahul:
After a dismal outing in Sri Lanka as the number 4 batsman, Rahul did not get to play in any of the first three matches. However, he has the backing of the team and he succeeded to retain his place in the squad.
6. Manish Pandey:
After scoring 0 and 3 in the first two games, Pandey found his form in the third ODI as he scored an unbeaten 36 to take the team home comfortably. Will be desperate to score big in the upcoming games.
7. Kedar Jadhav:
Kedar Jadhav managed to keep his place even after an average performance with the bat in the series.
8. MS Dhoni:
The in-form veteran batsman is having a great time not only with the bat but also with the wicketkeeping gloves. Will look to continue his impressive show in the upcoming games too.
9. Hardik Pandya:
Arguably, the most impressive performer in the series so far, Pandya has so far scored two match-winning fifties in addition to picking up 5 wickets. If his 66-ball 83 runs knock in the series-opener helped India to post a respectable total, his knock in the third ODI guided the Men in Blue to a series-clinching win.
10. Kuldeep Yadav:
The chinaman spinner has made a big case for himself with his impressive performances in the series so far. After taking a couple of wickets in the first game, he took a stunning hat-trick at the Eden Gardens which paved the way for India’s 50-run win. He had a tough outing in the third ODI where he took 2 wickets but ended up conceding 75 runs but is likely to retain his place.
11. Bhuvneshwar Kumar:
The right-arm pacer was instrumental in India’s win in the second ODI where he took an impressive 3 for 9 off 6.1 overs. So far, he has taken 4 wickets in the series.
12. Jasprit Bumrah:
Pandya has also enjoyed decent outing with the ball, taking 4 wickets in the first three games.
13. Yuzvendra Chahal:
Arguably, the most impressive bowler in the series so far, the leg-spinner has not only taken wickets at crucial junctures in the series but has also managed to keep the Australian batsmen under check with his variations.
14 & 15. Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami:
The duo has not got a single game under its belt but the team will surely be keen to try them out in the upcoming two matches.
16. Axar Patel
Axar Patel has recovered from his injury and has been called back into the squad, whereas Ravindra Jadeja has been again rested from the current squad.