After decimating Sri Lanka in the T20I series, India will face a tougher task when they will take on Australia in the three-match ODI series. It won’t be wrong to say that Australia will be the most challenging team for India’s home season. Australia had got the better of India in 2019 as they had won both the T20I and ODI series. Ergo, Virat Kohli’s men will like to take their revenge.
Rohit Sharma was rested for the series against Sri Lanka and he is going to make a comeback. The Indian vice-captain has been in sublime form in the recent past and he would like to kickstart 2020 on a high. Furthermore, Mohammed Shami will also make a comeback into the side.
It will be an even contest.
Shardul Thakur and Navdeep Saini had impressed in the T20I series against Sri Lanka and it will be a tough job for the think tank to choose one between them. Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are expected to the front line fast bowlers of the team.
Meanwhile, Australia has been in scintillating form. It is going to be a stronger side as compared to the tour of 2019 with the return of Steven Smith and David Warner. Moreover, Marnus Labuschagne will look to take his Test form into ODI cricket.
However, Australia will miss the firepower of Glenn Maxwell who was awarded the Man of the series in the two-match T20I series in 2019. Subsequently, Marnus Labuschagne and Ashton Turner will have huge shoes to fill in.
On the other hand, with Rohit Sharma making a comeback, the team management will scratch their heads on whom to choose between Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul.
Match Prediction: India will know that to beat a team like Australia, they need to be on their toes. The Wankhede is expected to be run-fest and it should be a good contest between the two best teams in the world.