Timesof24
The concentration is going to as soon as once more be on KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja when India tackle Australia within the second ODI in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, with common captain Rohit Sharma returning to steer the aspect after lacking the opening sport in Mumbai. India defeated Australia by 5 wickets in a low-scoring sport on the Wankhede Stadium, with Rahul, who struggled to search out kind through the Border-Gavaskar sequence resulting in him being dropped for the third and fourth Exams, scoring a affected person unbeaten 75 because the hosts cantered dwelling.
Jadeja, taking part in ODI cricket after almost eight months attributable to a knee harm and subsequent surgical procedure, scored an unbeaten 45 within the chase of 188 on Friday. He additionally bowled a good spell and returned figures of two/46 to be declared ‘Participant of the Match’.
With the ODI World Cup being hosted by India later this 12 months, an in-form Rahul and a fully-fit Jadeja can be an asset, and the three-match sequence will assist the selectors assess the duo’s progress.
India would look to take an unassailable 2-Zero lead within the sequence and likewise attempt to make amends with the bat, after they have been in a spot of hassle at 4/39, and later 5/83, earlier than Rahul and Jadeja got here collectively on the crease to information the hosts to victory with 61 balls to spare.
Rohit Sharma’s return to captaincy duties will definitely give solidity to the highest order, which crumbled to the tempo and variations of Australian fast Mitchell Starc.
The lanky left-arm pacer’s three-wicket burst at first put India beneath great strain, with Virat Kohli (4), Suryakumar Yadav (0) and Shubman Gill (20) departing in fast succession after Marcus Stoinis had made an early dent by dismissing Ishan Kishan for 3 runs.
Indian batters have sometimes seemed tentative in opposition to high quality left-arm pacers, and going through Starc within the remaining two video games ought to give them good observe in dwelling situations, with efforts targeted in direction of making preparations for the World Cup in October-November.
With Sharma set to open, Kishan will doubtless make method for the common captain.
Whereas not a lot needs to be learn into Kohli and Gill’s below-par scores within the first ODI, Suryakumar Yadav not with the ability to discover his mojo within the 50-over format is a motive for concern.
A marauder with the bat in T20Is, Suryakumar is evidently nonetheless discovering his ft in ODIs. He has gone and not using a fifty in all 5 ODIs this 12 months. Surya has now performed 15 ODIs (13 innings) and not using a rating exceeding 50.
Nonetheless, with no timeline set for Shreyas Iyer’s return, India will preserve auditioning Suryakumar for the function at No. 4.
India’s bowling did an amazing job in Mumbai with pacers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj flourishing on a pace-friendly Wankhede pitch. However wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav couldn’t make a powerful impression.
Nonetheless, the crew administration is just not anticipated to tinker with the bowling line-up, with Pandya taking part in the function of a 3rd seamer to perfection in Mumbai.
The climate forecast for the second ODI is of scattered thunderstorms no less than within the first half, which additionally signifies that pacers from both aspect can swing the ball if the situations are windy.
Australia wish to check out completely different mixtures through the sequence. On Friday, they went in with 4 all-rounders — Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Inexperienced, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell — and nonetheless could not hassle India a lot, which might be a priority for captain Steve Smith.
As a makeshift opener within the absence of David Warner, Marsh supplied a fast begin with a 65-ball 81 however Australia misplaced the best way within the center overs, crashing from 129/2 to 188 all out in opposition to high quality tempo in Mumbai. The guests misplaced six wickets for a meagre 19 runs regardless of having a deep batting line-up, one thing that they may look to work on.
Smith and Marnus Labuschagne might have encountered ‘tough’ pitches within the Take a look at sequence however the wickets for ODIs in India are often batter-friendly, and each the Aussie mainstays can be anticipated to do extra.
Smith has not crossed the 50-run mark up to now on this India tour. For somebody who has a mountain of runs in opposition to India, the Australian stand-in skipper will look to finish the drought.
Australia’s quick bowling seemed terrific in Mumbai, with Sean Abbott protecting a lid on the Indians with tight strains and Inexperienced and Stoinis additionally chipping in.
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