India vs Australia 2017: BCCI Announces Squad For The Remaining ODIs

India vs Australia 2017 series promised some high-octane action after Virat Kohli-led squad’s dominating but one-sided tours of West Indies and Sri Lanka, and we got what we were promised in the 3rd ODI.

Holkar Stadium remained India’s favorite venue as the hosts carried on their unbeaten streak in Indore but the India vs Australia 2017, 3rd ODI was everything but a one-sided match. When Warner, Finch, and Smith helped visitors to go past the 200-runs mark with the loss of just one wicket, we expected a 350+ target for India but the hosts’ bowling attack once again proved fruitful as the first innings ended at 293 runs and the Aussies looked 40 add runs away from a respectable total.

However, despite the metal bending knocks from Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma, who paired for a 139-runs opening partnership, it was Hardik Pandya belligerent innings of 78 runs that helped India clinch the series while finally become the No. 1 side in ODIs.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Equals MS Dhoni’s Record While Rohit Sharma Made A New One In The 3rd ODI

That being said, the wrist spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have emerged as the backbone of India’s bowling attack while spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have been providing the needed breakthroughs from time to time.

Considering the upcoming 2019 World Cup and the class of players that Virat Kohli & Co. has in abundance, selectors are now looking to test the bench strength by giving youngsters a chance to play against top opposition like Australia.

After clinching the India vs Australia 2017 OSI series, BCCI has announced the squad for the remaining two matches and Axar Patel, another wrist spinner, has got a call-up and will be replacing Ravindra Jadeja in the 15-man squad.

Here is the full Indian squad for the remaining ODIs

Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma, Manish Pandey, KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami.

Axar Patel was named in the squad for the first three ODIs but he was later ruled out due to an ankle injury, which the all-rounder sustained during a practice session, Ravindra Jadeja was called up as his replacement.

The last two India vs Australia 2017 ODI’s will be played at Bengaluru on 28th September and Nagpur on 1st October.

Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan gets an extended break as the opener has requested to leave the squad to attend his wife.

Interestingly, there has been no word on the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and Ravichandran Ashwin, and although BCCI is looking forward to finding the best possible combinations for the World Cup as well as all the series leading up to the ICC tournament, but the No. 4 position in the batting lineup and dependability on the spinner’s attack are the two areas where the Virat Kohli-led team still needs to work on.

Everything said and done, while Kuldeep Yadav is having a gala time on the ground as he already has 18 wickets under his belt in 11 ODIs played for the side, Yuzvendra Chahal has been teaming up with MS Dhoni to give the Aussies a run for their money in the India vs Australia series.

As for Hardik Pandya, he has emerged as the most consistent player in the current team and has scored 181 runs while taking 5 wickets in the three ODIs.