IND vs AUS: Revealed - Steve Smith is captaining Australia instead of Pat Cummins in 2nd ODI

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh have been rested, Steve Smith to lead Australia.

Australia have decided to rest their skipper, Pat Cummins, for the second ODI game against India at Holkar Stadium in Indore. Steve Smith will be leading the charge in Indore, as they desperately need a win to keep themselves alive in the ongoing 3-match ODI series against India. India won the first ODI game in Mohali by five wickets and took a 1-0 lead. Team India also became the No. 1 team in ICC rankings across formats.

Australia name Steve Smith as captain for 2nd ODI against India

Australia have decided to experiment with their playing XI in the 2nd ODI. They have rested their captain Pat Cummins and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and brought in the experience of Josh Hazlewood. Along with Hazlewood, pace bowler Spencer Johnson will be making his debut in this format.

Australian stand-in captain at the toss Steve Smith informed during the toss that the team decided to try out new combinations as well. Smith said, “It’s important that we keep working towards that."We want to win but also try out a few different combinations. We have got a few changes, Spencer Johnson makes his debut, Josh Hazlewood is back, and Carey is back as well.” Mitchell Starc is still on the bench, along with Glenn Maxwell.

Earlier in a 5-match series against South Africa, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh led Australian side. In Indore, Marsh has also been rested, giving the leadership to top-order batter Steve Smith. Marsh had a disappointing game in Mohali, where he could only manage to score four runs on four balls as an opener. Matthew Short will be opening the innings along with David Warner in the second ODI.

Team India have also made one change, as the team management gave a few days' leave to pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah will be spending time with his family and joining Indian camp for the final ODI in Rajkot. Prasidh Krishna has replaced him in the playing XI. Mohammed Siraj is still not feeling well, and he is out of action for one more game. The rest of Indian squad remains the same under KL Rahul.