India are 2-0 up in the 5-match series and they will look to win their fourth successive bilateral series on the trot with a good outing at Ranchi. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back in the Indian side after being rested for the first two games and he is likely to be slotted right away in place of Mohammad Shami, who was expensive in the last outing. With just three matches left till the World Cup squads are announced, youngsters like Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant and Lokesh Rahul will be eager to seize their chances and seal a berth for the event.
Australia on the other hand look unsettled and with no update as to whether Steve Smith and David Warner will return for the biennial event, the pressure on the unit is immense. They had a dismal 2018 and their poor run has continued into the ongoing series as well. Though they did have a few positives in the last game - Pat Cummins, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell all contributed some way or the other - but as a whole, they have failed to gel together.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: MS Dhoni (8.5 credits)
After failing to inspire in 2018, Dhoni started the year with a bang, scoring crucial knocks in Australia and New Zealand. He will most likely be playing at his home-ground for the final time in his international career, and all eyes will be on Dhoni as he looks for the perfect farewell.
Batsman: Virat Kohli
India are 2-0 up in the 5-match series and they will look to win their fourth successive bilateral series on the trot with a good outing at Ranchi. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back in the Indian side after being rested for the first two games and he is likely to be slotted right away in place of Mohammad Shami, who was expensive in the last outing. With just three matches left till the World Cup squads are announced, youngsters like Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant and Lokesh Rahul will be eager to seize their chances and seal a berth for the event.
Australia on the other hand look unsettled and with no update as to whether Steve Smith and David Warner will return for the biennial event, the pressure on the unit is immense. They had a dismal 2018 and their poor run has continued into the ongoing series as well. Though they did have a few positives in the last game - Pat Cummins, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell all contributed some way or the other - but as a whole, they have failed to gel together.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: MS Dhoni (8.5 credits)
After failing to inspire in 2018, Dhoni started the year with a bang, scoring crucial knocks in Australia and New Zealand. He will most likely be playing at his home-ground for the final time in his international career, and all eyes will be on Dhoni as he looks for the perfect farewell.
Batsman: Virat Kohli (11 credits)
The kind of form that Kohli is in, his selection should be a no-brainer. The Indian skipper scored his 40th ODI ton in the second game - his 116 off 120 came after he managed 44 in the first game. The player also smashed a hundred in the ODIs against Australia and contributed 148 runs in 3 games against New Zealand before being handed some rest. His ODI average now stands at 59.73 and he will be the player to watch out for.
All-rounder: Marcus Stoinis (9.5 credits)
The all-rounder was in fine form in the recent Big Bash League, where he finished as one of the leading top-scorers. Stoinis has been pushed up the order in this series and he hardly disappointed as he raced away to a fifty. His ability to pick up important wickets, and with India's top order and middle order looking inconsistent, Stoinis could fancy his chances.
Bowler: Jasprit Bumrah (9.5 credits)
On his day, there is no tougher bowler to face than Bumrah. His slingy action makes run-scoring off him tough, and his ability to strike both in the first ten and the last ten overs makes him a real threat. He claimed 2 for 29 in his quota of overs last time around and he will be crucial for the team's chances again.
Captain: Jasprit Bumrah
Vice-captain: Virat Kohli
