India vs Australia, 2nd ODI: Rohit Sharma Returns To Captaincy, Hosts Goal To Seal Sequence

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 guide the facet 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 type through the Border-Gavaskar sequence resulting in him being dropped for the third and fourth Tests, scoring a affected person unbeaten 75 because the hosts cantered dwelling.

Jadeja, enjoying ODI cricket after practically eight months resulting from 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 ‘Player of the Match’.

With the ODI World Cup being hosted by India later this yr, an in-form Rahul and a fully-fit Jadeja shall be an asset, and the three-match sequence will assist the selectors assess the duo’s progress.

India would look to take an unassailable 2-0 lead within the sequence and in addition attempt to make amends with the bat, after they have been in a spot of trouble 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 initially put India beneath great stress, 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 often appeared tentative towards high quality left-arm pacers, and dealing with Starc within the remaining two video games ought to give them good follow in dwelling circumstances, with efforts centered in the direction of making preparations for the World Cup in October-November.

With Sharma set to open, Kishan will probably make means for the common captain.

While not a lot must be learn into Kohli and Gill’s below-par scores within the first ODI, Suryakumar Yadav not having 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 toes in ODIs. He has gone with out a fifty in all 5 ODIs this yr. Surya has now performed 15 ODIs (13 innings) with out a rating exceeding 50.

However, with no timeline set for Shreyas Iyer‘s return, India will maintain auditioning Suryakumar for the function at No. 4.

India’s bowling did an incredible job in Mumbai with pacers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj flourishing on a pace-friendly Wankhede pitch. But wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav couldn’t make a powerful impression.

However, the staff administration will not be anticipated to tinker with the bowling line-up, with Pandya enjoying the function of a 3rd seamer to perfection in Mumbai.

The climate forecast for the second ODI is of scattered thunderstorms at the very least within the first half, which additionally implies that pacers from both facet can swing the ball if the circumstances are windy.

Australia wish to check out totally different mixtures through the sequence. On Friday, they went in with 4 all-rounders — Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell — and nonetheless could not bother India a lot, which might be a priority for captain Steve Smith.

As a makeshift opener within the absence of David Warner, Marsh offered 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 towards 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 are going to look to work on.

Smith and Marnus Labuschagne might have encountered ‘tough’ pitches within the Test sequence however the wickets for ODIs in India are normally batter-friendly, and each the Aussie mainstays shall be anticipated to do extra.

Smith has not crossed the 50-run mark thus far on this India tour. For somebody who has a mountain of runs towards India, the Australian stand-in skipper will look to finish the drought.

Australia’s quick bowling appeared terrific in Mumbai, with Sean Abbott retaining a lid on the Indians with tight strains and Green and Stoinis additionally chipping in.