IND vs AUS 3rd ODI: India win toss, opt to bowl first in Ranchi

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, probably playing for the final time at his home ground, is the cynosure of all eyes. Skipper Virat Kohli would want more contribution from the top as India’s bowling has been spectacular in both the ODIs but the top-order’s dismal form is a major concern

In a move aimed at celebrating International Women's Day, former India player and current BCCI CoA member Diana Edulji presented the coin at the toss during the third ODI between India and Australia at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi on Friday. The Men-in-Blue will be sporting camouflage caps today as mark of tribute to the loss of lives in Pulwama terror attack and the armed forces.

With a 2-0 lead in the 5-match ODI series, India will be aiming to take an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, probably playing for the final time at his home ground, is the cynosure of all eyes. Skipper Virat Kohli would want more contribution from the top as India’s bowling has been spectacular in both the ODIs but the top-order’s dismal form is a major concern.

Coming to toss in the 3nd ODI, India for the first time have won the toss in this series, and have opted to bowl first. Indian team is set to lock horns with the visitors in the 3rd game with no changes in Playing XI.

For today’s must-win third ODI against India, the visitors were forced to make a change, after a message from home called for paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile’s immediate return. Nathan was his way back to Perth to celebrate the birth of his second child. Finch named Jhye Richardson as his replacement.

"I would have bowled first too maybe though I am not sure. Need to get stuck in batting first and post a good total. We have one change - Coulter-Nile has gone home for the birth of his child. Jhye Richardson comes in. We've done well despite not really playing our best game.", Finch.

"We are gonna have a bowl. Looks a decent track, could be dry in the afternoon and dew could settle in later. Looks a better pitch than the previous games. Dew is basically the main factor behind chasing. This is a special cap, it's a tribute to the Armed forces. We're all donating our match fees of this game to the families of the martyrs. I urge everyone in the country to do the same and stick to the families of our armed forces. We're playing the same team. It's been a special couple of games. We're proud of the way we played in the first two games and we're not shy of grinding a win.", said Kohli.

India's previous two victories - by six wickets and eight runs - weren't exactly convincing but pulling off close matches under pressure will certainly add to the confidence.

Teams:

Australia (Playing XI): Aaron Finch(c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah