India vs Australia 2019: MS Dhoni To Be Rested For Last Two ODIs

Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni is all set to miss the last two ODIs of the series against Australia. Team India’s assistant coach Sanjay Bangar confirmed the news and said that Dhoni will be rested for the last two ODIs.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli had said that the team will make changes in the playing XI for the last two games but Dhoni was not expected to be the player who was in line to be rested.

In his absence, Rishabh Pant looks set to walk into the playing XI for the last two games. The 21-year-old, who was recently handed Grade A contract by BCCI, is in plans for World Cup 2019 and with just two ODIs remaining prior to the tournament, he will get the game time required.

In other changes, KL Rahul and Yuzvendra Chahal are also expected to walk into the playing XI.

Rahul is expected to replace either of Ambati Rayudu and Shikhar Dhawan. Both the batsmen have struggled so far in the series.

Dhawan has just scored 22 runs in the series while Rayudu has managed 33 runs.

Chances of Rayudu being dropped are more but a final decision regarding this change is only expected to come out on the match day.

Chahal is expected to replace Ravindra Jadeja. The all-rounder has picked up just one wicket in the series so far.

Chahal is yet to play a match in the series.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar could also be an addition into playing XI but it totally depends on the fact whether either of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will be rested for the match.

If any one of the pacers is rested, Bhuvneshwar will return into playing XI.

He was rested for the T20I series and for the first two ODIs of the series.

The fourth ODI of the series will be played in Mohali on Sunday. India are currently leading the series 2-1.

Earlier today, the home side lost the third ODI by a margin of 32 runs as they failed to chase down 314.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli played a brilliant knock of 123 off 95 but he couldn’t sail the team’s boat past the finishing line.

For Australia, Aaron Finch (93) and Usman Khawaja (104) shone with the bat while batting first.