India vs Australia 2019: 3rd ODI, Ranchi- Match Prediction

Hosts India registered a memorable 8 runs victory in the 2^nd ODI against Australia to take a 2-0 lead in the 5 match series. It was a nerve-wracking clash and in the end, it was Vijay Shankar who held his nerves and did the job for his team. With 11 runs required of the final over and with Marcus Stoinis at the crease, Australia would have backed themselves to finish the match off. However, it wasn’t to be as the all-rounder was dismissed in the very first delivery of the over. Shankar then castled the stumps of Adam Zampa to help India clinch the thriller.

Australia would consider themselves unlucky as they had an opportunity to win both the games of the ongoing series so far. It was Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni who guided India to a comfortable 6 wickets victory in the 1^st ODI after tottering at 99/4. However, an unbeaten partnership between the duo ensured India reached the target without any further hiccups.

The hosts will look to seal the series once they meet the Aussies in the 3^rd ODI in Ranchi slated to be played tomorrow. It should be another crackerjack of a contest and the crowd is expected to come in huge number. In all likelihood, this match could be the last of MS Dhoni in Ranchi in India colours. Hence there is no doubt about the fact that the crowd will pour in huge numbers.

Date and Venue:

The match will be played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi which also happens to be the hometown of former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The match is slated to be played tomorrow.

Pitch conditions

If you take the previous matches in Ranchi into consideration, the pitches here hasn’t been easy to bat on. Not many teams have managed to score big which has resulted in their defeats. Overall 4 matches have been played in the venue. While a solitary match has been abandoned, two have been won by the team batting 2^nd while the last match in the venue was won by New Zealand by 19 runs. With Dhoni all set to play his final match in his hometown, we might see a belter of a batting pitch tomorrow. However given by the record, the team winning the toss should look to put the oppositions in.

The first match in this stadium was played between India and England back in 2013. The home team won the clash quite convincingly by 7 wickets. The 2^nd match in the venue between India and Australia was a washout. The 3^rd match was won by India playing against Sri Lanka while New Zealand won the 4^th ODI in this venue against India.

Weather Conditions

The temperature should hover around the 26-27 c. Bright sunshine is expected throughout the day. However, it shouldn’t be as humid as in the previous games in the venue.

Here is the Match Prediction

Given the current form of the home team, there is simply no doubt about the fact that India will start as the outright favourites even in the 3rd ODI. There might be a few chopping and changing from the home team. However, they have a tremendous bench strength who has the ability to beat any top side. Hence India will be the favourites to take an unassailable 3-0 lead tomorrow.