IND vs AUS: 2nd ODI Preview – Humiliated India seek revival of fortunes

After being handed a 10-wicket mauling by Australia in the 1st ODI, revenge will be the only thing on the minds of Virat Kohli’s Team India as they head into the 2nd ODI at Rajkot on Friday. With a 1-0 lead in the 3-match ODI series, the mighty Australians have now emerged favourites to claim the series.

Match info

India vs Australia, 2nd ODI: 17th Jan (Friday)

Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot (1:30 PM IST)

It should be a no brainer for the toss-winning captain to bat first. Rajkot offers a beautiful batting wicket, with the size of the ground hardly offering any assistance to the bowlers. The weather is likely to remain bright and sunny during the daytime but there are chances of dew in the evening as it gets chilly.

IND vs AUS: The rivalry continues

Team News

India: Their first 10-wicket defeat in 15 years left Team India pondering over many important questions. Should Kohli give up his obsession with having bowlers who can bat? Should he himself bat at his usual No.3 position with Rahul pushed down to No.4? Who will replace concussed Rishabh Pant in the batting order? Will the idea of playing two spinners cross Kohli’s mind? While wholesale changes may make matters worse, it will be crucial for the Indian skipper to find the right combination and the missing spark that was highly visible at Wankhede on Tuesday.

Australia: The visitors have absolutely no reason to mess with their winning XI. David Warner and Aaron Finch got them to a flying start in the 1st ODI, while the rest of the batting power remained untested. With Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne filling up the No.3 and 4 spots, the Australian batting line-up looks solid as ever. Mitchell Starc, playing only his 2nd ODI in India, did a fine job by picking up three wickets and he was well supported by fellow pacers, Pat Cummins and Kane Richardson.

Also read: BCCI announces Annual Player Contracts for Team India, MS Dhoni missing

Stat Attack

Probable XI