India vs Australia, 2nd ODI Playing XI tip off: Rohit Sharma returns to lead, Umran Malik to replace Shardul Thakur

Jadeja, playing ODI cricket after nearly eight months later due to a knee injury and subsequent surgery, scored an unbeaten 45 in the case of 188 on Friday. He also bowled a tight spell and returned figures of 2/46 to be declared the ‘Player of the Match’.

1⃣ Brilliant catch
2⃣ Wickets
4⃣5⃣* Runs

For his superb all-round performance, @imjadeja bags the Player of the Match award as #TeamIndia beat Australia in the first #INDvAUS ODI 🙌 🙌

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/BAvv2E8K6h @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/xaPDmpRX0p

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 17, 2023

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

Rohit to open the batting

Rohit Sharma will be back at the top of the order come the 2nd ODI. Ishan Kishan, who replaced the right-hander in the first ODI, failed to leave a mark with the bat in a short innings of 3. Since his double ton in Bangladesh last year, Kishan is going through a barren patch. With the way the top order struggled against the moving ball, Rohit’s return is bound to add solidity.

As a captain, Rohit led India to clean sweep wins against Sri Lanka nor New Zealand in the two three-match series they’ve played earlier this year. Australia after losing the first game, as they did in Tests, will be looking to make a resounding comeback. Rohit will be well aware of their coming-back ability.

Umran Malik in for Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur, despite being an all-rounder, did not have much of an impact in the first game. He bowled two overs and did not get to bat. The Mumbai surface assisted seamers, as was evident with the three-wicket hauls of Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Mitchell Starc for Australia. However, Vizag being traditionally a flat wicket, India will be looking to have an X-factor in the middle overs with someone of Umran Malik’s calibre.

Malik’s pace may cause the Australian middle order a lot of trouble. In his short international career, the seamer has impressed one and all, having picked 13 wickets in the eight ODIs he’s played so far.

Predicted Playing XI

India: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Umran Malik, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.

Australia: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Squads

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Yuzvendra Chahal, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, Jaydev Unadkat, Washington Sundar, Suryakumar Yadav.

Australia: Steve Smith (c) Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.