IND vs AUS 3rd ODI Preview: India looks for redemption ahead of series decider

New Delhi: After two pace-friendly tracks and low-scoring encounters, India and Australia are heading for the series decider in Chennai. While it is expected to be a spin-friendly wicket, Mitchell Starc with the new ball might haunt Indian batters. Both teams will try to be on top of their games and find a fitting combination before the World Cup.

The last match saw a big batting collapse for India before Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head went on to chase 117 in just 11 overs. India will seek redemption with a home series at stake.

India looks to solve the number 4 problem, batting collapses

Suryakumar Yadav at number 4 has been one of the best in T20Is but could not do the same in the longer format. In two games in the series, he was dismissed by Strac on golden ducks with inswinging deliveries onto his pads. While Shreyas Iyer is injured, Indian management is investing in SKY and this game might be an ultimate test for him in the format to make it to the World Cup squad.

While KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja saved the first game for India and Hardik Pandya has shown his counter-attacking skills in this series, the top order needs to step up to face a formidable bowling attack like Australia.

As the pitch might assist spin, the men in blue are expected to go with the same combination as in the last game. Mohammed Siraj and Shami have been doing well and with a bit of assistance from the turf, Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja might have their day.

Australia has underperforming lower order, question to play 2 spinners

There is a chance as the Aussies head toward the World Cup, where they might get tracks like in Chennai, the visitors will drop one out of Sean Abbott or Nathan Ellis to bring in Ashton Agar to bowl with Adam Zampa. In swinging and seaming conditions, Zampa did to have much to do, but his leg spin will be tested in Chennai today.

Mitchell Marsh has proven to get a place as the opener, but the question is will Australia still go with David Warner in the last game as the batter seems to be fit by now? On the hand, Glenn Maxwell returning from injury and the lower order did not contribute in the first game. India has shown what a good lower order can do and Australia needs to replicate the same with a big tournamnet around the corner.

Probable XIs

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel,  Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

Australia: Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell/Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Prediction

With spin assistance, India has an advantage, especially if batting second. Meanwhile, Starc will look for swing and replicate the last two games.