Mumbai: The in-form India takes on Australia in the third and final ODI of the bilateral series on Wednesday, 27th of September 2023.

Senior players like captain Rohit Sharma, star batter and run machine Virat Kohli, the sole specialist spinner in India’s World Cup 2023 squad Kuldeep Yadav, top-ranked ODI bowler Muhammad Siraj and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya are among the ones who will make their comeback after they were given rest in the first two ODIs.

The return of senior players puts the head coach Rahul Dravid and Captain Rohit Sharma under pressure as the youngsters like Rituraj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav, and Mohammad Shami have proven their forms. Rituraj Gaikwad starred in the first ODI with a classy fifty while Suryakumar Yadav proved what he could in the longer format of the game as well.

Suryakumar has proven his worth by hitting back-to-back fifties. In the second ODI, every one of the Australian bowlers felt the heat of his bat on his route to 37-ball 72 runs which included six massive maximums and boundaries of the same number.

Returning to the squad after a break due to fitness concerns, Shreyas Iyer too impressed with his batting in the second match. He scored 105 from a mere 90 balls to spearhead India to a mammoth total of 399 in 50 overs.

Ishaan Kishan will also continue with the team for the third ODI; however, his chances of making it into the final eleven are doubtful. Though he had a good start in the second ODI, he failed to maintain momentum and play longer innings. Still finding place as the sole reserve keeper, he will continue with the team.

Rituraj, Prasid Krishna, Tilak Verma Are Out

Opener Rituraj, bowler Prasid Krishna, and left hander Tilak Verma will miss out the third match as the trio was called in for action in the first two matches alone. Rituraj batted in both the matches while Tilak Verma did not get a chance. Prasid Krishna played in the second match in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar who got the call to replace Bumrah in the second match will also miss the match.

Both Rituraj and Tilak will be seen in action in the ongoing Asian Games. Rituraj Gaikwad will lead India’s Asian Games’ campaign as Captain of the team.

Team India has already secured the series after convincing wins over the guests in the first two ODIs. With the series win, India now leads the table of ICC rankings in all three formats. With a win tomorrow, India will eye a whitewash while Aussies will fight for their pride.