IND vs AUS 2nd ODI: Keeping World Cup auditions on hold, India might field unchanged playing XI in Nagpur

The performance of India's middle-order and bowlers in the first ODI at Hyderabad might tempt Virat Kohli to field an unchanged XI in Nagpur

At a time when India are treating each game as an opportunity to try out the back-ups and keep them ready for every situation in a World Cup match may throw at, the second ODI against Australia at Nagpur presents a rare temptation of going out with an unchanged playing XI.

India’s six-wicket victory in Hyderabad was by no means perfect but it did provide satisfaction to captain Virat Kohli in a lot of ways. The reason being the performance of India’s supporting cast when the protagonists were not up to the mark. The likes of Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja stood out with the ball. The former received praise from all quarters including captain Virat Kohli for his impeccable control in all three of his spells. And not to forget the two important strikes of Ashton Turner and Glenn Maxwell when Australia were looking set to post a target in excess of 260. Jadeja, on the other hand, did a commendable job in bottling up Australia’s middle order. In fact, in his 10 overs, only once did Jadeja stray down the leg side of a right hander. The rest of his balls were either on off stump or slightly away from it, giving the batters including Maxwell no room whatsoever.  Jadeja gave away only 33 runs in his 10 overs, the most economical bowler of the day.

With chinaman Kuldeep Yadav(2/46) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/60) too playing their parts in the first ODI, a change in the bowling department looks unlikely, meaning India’s preferred leggie Yuzvendra Chahal might have to wait till the third ODI.

Coming to India’s batting, in a rare scenario, the top order failed but Kedar Jadhav emerged as a star performer remaining unbeaten on 81. His unbroken 141-run stand with MS Dhoni(59*) took India home despite them being reduced to 99 for four, chasing 238.

Opener Shikhar Dhawan failed in Hyderabad but he is likely to get another game as chances of K L Rahul coming in for him appear bleak. However, if given a chance Rahul will be more than willing to make optimum use of.

Vice-captain Rohit Sharma can take any attack to cleaners on his day and the Aussies would be wary of him and skipper Virat Kohli, who scored 44 on Saturday night.

Both Rohit and Kohli are always hungry for runs and if the duo fires in unison at the VCA stadium, then the visitors are in for a hard time.

Ambati Rayudu failed in the first game but knowing his abilities and the backing he has from the team management, his place in the playing eleven is not in danger.

The only possible change could be at No.7. Rishabh Pant could be drafted into the side in place of all-rounder Vijay Shankar who had off day with the ball. But considering he is fighting for the back-up all-rounder’s spot with Jadeja, it would be a surprise if the Indian team management decides to drop him after just one bad game.

Australia, on the other hand, will need to pull one back to ensure that the hosts do not double their advantage early in the series.

For their coach Justin Langer, out of form skipper Aaron Finch would be a definite concern.

Finch, who had scores of 0 and 8 in the preceding T20 series, continued his bad run in the first ODI. The 32-year old would hope for a change of fortunes and get some runs under his belt on Tuesday.

Other batsmen like opener Usman Khawaja, the flamboyant Glenn Maxwell, all-rounder Marcus Stonis, threw their wickets away after getting their eye in and would be aiming for bigger scores.

The likes of young Peter Handscomb and wicket-keeper Alex Carey too would be keen to play their part.

On the bowling front, leg-spinner Adam Zampa troubled the Indian batsmen and will be key for the visitors. But he needs adequate support upfront from pacers Pat Cummins and Nathan Counter-Nile.

Australia could try Andrew Tye, who regularly plays in the IPL, ahead of Jason Behrendorff.

India (likely XI): Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (captain), Ambati Rayudu, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar/Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.

Australia (from): Aaron Finch (captain), D'Arcy Short, Shaun Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Peter Handscomb, Ashton Turner, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff, Jhye Richardson, Pat Cummins, Andrew Tye, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Nathan Lyon.