IND vs AUS: India's strongest playing XI vs Australia for first two ODIs - Predicted

KL Rahul will lead the Indian side in first two ODIs in absence of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya.

Team India will be taking on Australia just before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 to give their players a proper test before the mega event. PCA Stadium in Mohali will commence the 3-match ODI series between India and Australia on 22nd September. Indore’s Holkar Stadium will host the second ODI of the series on 24th September, The final ODI will be played at Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. After this series, both of the teams will enter into the biggest cricket championship. Team India have announced two sets of teams for this series. 

The national selection panel under Ajit Agarkar has decided to give captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav rest and try out options to prepare for the worst-case scenario in case of a mid-tournament injury in the World Cup. All-rounder Axar Patel is still in doubt for the World Cup. If Axar Patel fails to make it in the third ODI then a big concern will arise in front of Indian team management. Now, let’s have a look at the best possible playing XI for Team India in the first two ODIs against Australia. 

India's Predicted Playing XI against Australia

1. Shubman Gill:

Indian opener Shubman Gill is in line to become the fastest player to touch 2,000 runs in a One-day International career. Gill is just 261 runs away from completing 2,000 ODI runs in his career. With his consistent show as an opening batter in this format, Shubman Gill has fixed himself as an opener in the Indian playing XI. He has played 29 games as an opener and smashed 5 ODI centuries for India. 

2. Ishan Kishan:

Wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan will be getting the opportunity as an opener once again in the Indian playing XI. BCCI has decided to rest Rohit Sharma for the first two ODIs against Australia and that opened the door for Ishan Kishan once again in the top-order. Kishan batted brilliantly in the middle-order to help India lift the 50-overs Asia Cup 2023 title consecutively. 

3. Shreyas Iyer:

Along with full-time Rohit Sharma, BCCI also gave a two-game rest before the ICC Cricket World Cup to Virat Kohli. Shreyas Iyer suffered with back spasms in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four round and missed the Super Four round and final but he is expected to be fit for the first ODI game against Australia. Iyer will be batting at number 3 in Virat Kohli’s absence. 

4. Tilak Varma:

The young left-hander will be part of India's backup plan in the upcoming World Cup 2023. Varma will be drafted in case of an injury concern in mid-tournament. Indian team management is looking to provide the youngsters with game time as much as possible. With Ishan Kishan moving up as an opener and Iyer batting at number 3, Varma will be playing as the number 4 batter.  

5. KL Rahul (C), (WK):

Selectors have given the leadership role to KL Rahul once again in the absence of Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Hardik Pandya. KL Rahul made his comeback after a long injury break in the Asia Cup 2023 tournament and played a few magnificent knocks to power India towards the championship. Rahul will be taking up the captaincy in the first two ODIs along with wicket-keeping role. 

6. Suryakumar Yadav:

Out of colour in ODIs, Suryakumar Yadav will fill in the finisher role for India against Australia. Suryakumar Yadav got one game in the Asia Cup 2023 when India made 5 changes against Bangladesh. Surya failed to grab it as he could only manage to score 26 runs in that innings. SKY is part of the World Cup squad and fans will be hoping for a big knock from him. 

7. Ravindra Jadeja:

All-rounder Ravindra Jajdeja will be there to provide strength in lower-order batting. Team India lack quality in lower-order batting and everyone has highlighted this as India’s biggest weakness going into the mega event. Jadeja had a decent Asia Cup and along with Shardul Thakur will play a crucial role in India’s lower-order batting. Along with his left-arm spin, this is Jadeja’s biggest advantage.

8. Ravi Ashwin:

Axar Patel is struggling with multiple niggles and has been kept away from the Australia ODI series. Team India have recalled Ravichandran Ashwin for the 3-match ODI series against Australia. Ashwin will be leading the charge against Australians as the only specialist spinner in the team. Fans will witness the Ashwin-Jadeja duo working in the ODIs after a very long time. Ashwin can be handy with the bat as well down the lower-order.

9. Shardul Thakur:

Known as a partnership breaker for India, Shardul Thakur will be playing as 3rd seamer in the playing XI. Just like Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur is also considered as an all-rounder and has scored 329 runs in 25 ODI innings for Team India. Thakur is also among the leading wicket-takers for team India since World Cup 2019 along with Kuldeep Yadav. 

10. Mohammed Siraj:

Mohammed Siraj did a splendid job for team India in the Asia Cup 2023 final against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Siraj will be running high in confidence after his spell against Sri Lanka. Siraj became first ever Indian bowler to pick 4 wickets in an over and added many records to his name in that match where he completed with the figures of 6/21 in 7 overs. 

11. Jasprit Bumrah:

India’s X-factor in the upcoming World Cup 2023, Jasprit Bumrah needs more game-time to get his rhythm back in the ODI format. Jasprit Bumrah has been included for first two ODIs despite senior players being rested against Australia, only to help Bumrah gain his rhythm. He picked up 4 wickets in 3 innings he bowled in Asia Cup 2023.