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Axar Patel and Virat Kohli for India - (Source: AFP)
On Saturday, October 25, India will lock horns against Australia for the final ODI of the three-match series. It will be a dead rubber game as the hosts have already clinched the series after winning the first two matches.
Now that the series is not on the line, several changes are expected from the Indian side for the third ODI, and the players who are warming the bench for the first two matches might get a chance.
Thus, this article will shed light on India's probable playing XI for the third ODI.
India to drop Virat Kohli for 3rd ODI?
Virat Kohli is struggling in the ongoing series as the star batter is yet to score a run. The right-handed batter has scored a duck in both innings, and there are murmurs about Virat's place in the team.
Further, the fans are demanding a game for Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is sitting out on the bench. However, it is unlikely that the southpaw will get a match because Virat is certain to play the 3rd ODI.
Virat's stature is so big that the right-handed batter deserves his fair share of chances before the management takes any call on Kohli. Further, India are already 0-2 down in the series and it is unlikely that there will be any changes at the top to avoid a whitewash.
A tough call between the all-rounders
At present, India face a daunting task which is to reduce their all-rounders in the team. One of the major reasons behind two consecutive defeats is the presence of more than three all-rounders in the team. The Men in Blue have Nitish Kumar Reddy, Wasington Sundar, and Harshit Rana, and for the third ODI, one of them needs to be on the bench to make way for either a specialised batter or a bowler.
By releasing one of the all-rounders, India can make way for Kuldeep Yadav, who is wasting his time on the bench. Meanwhile, Australia are playing Adam Zampa, who was the player of the match in the 2nd ODI with a four-fer.
If India looks to strengthen their batting, then Dhruv Jurel too can come in for Washington Sundar, while Rana makes way for Kuldeep Yadav.
Rest Mohammed Siraj or Arshdeep Singh?
India can also look at this opportunity to give rest to their star bowler, Mohammed Siraj, to manage his workload as well. The right-arm seamer has been a workhorse, felt the heat and suffered from cramps in the 2nd ODI.
Thus, to avoid any serious injuries in the future, the Shubman Gill-led side can bring in Prasidh Krishna, who is yet to play a solitary match in this series.
Conclusion
Most of the team is expected to stay the same, but Kuldeep Yadav is most likely to find a place in the playing XI, most likely replacing Harshit Rana to bring in that spin edge in the team.
The playing XI will be the same other than the above mentioned two changes.
Here is India's probable playing XI
Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
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