Big Picture: Last dance before big names return

With key senior players from India and Australia set to slot into their respective XIs for the third ODI in Rajkot later, Sunday's fixture in Indore is perhaps the final chance for any fringe player to make an impression.

But, every strong team at the World Cup will have a Shami equivalent, and therefore a second consecutive jolt against India's fast bowlers will be a sign of worry. Mitchell Marsh, in particular, would want to settle himself in Indian conditions as the opener. Josh Hazlewood's possible return will also boost their bowling.

For India, it will be another opportunity to weigh out the benefit of three frontline fast bowlers versus the combo of two quicks and one seamer. Shami was sensational in Mohali with his five-for, but Shardul Thakur went wicketless for 78 runs. In the grand scheme of things, these are good problems to have, but the downside of too many choices is that the odds of making a wrong choice are also higher. R Ashwin's bowling will also be a key subplot.

As for the batting, Mohali couldn't have been any more clinical, with four of their top six getting half-centuries. India could try to push Ishan Kishan as opener instead of Ruturaj Gaikwad, but apart from that, their best-case scenario is more runs from the middle order. There will be special emphasis on Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav, the latter having just scored a fifty of his own in Mohali.

Form guide

India WWLWW (last five matches, most recent first)
Australia LLLLW

In the spotlight: Iyer and Labuschagne

Team news: Hardie for Stoinis?

India could rest Jasprit Bumrah and have Mohammed Siraj partner alongside Shami. They could also look at bringing in Washington Sundar. Kuldeep Yadav is rested for the second game as well.

India (possible): 1 Ruturaj Gaikwad/Ishan Kishan, 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Shreyas Iyer, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 KL Rahul (capt, wk), 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Washington Sundar, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Shardul Thakur, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Mohammed Siraj/Jasprit Bumrah.

Marcus Stoinis is unlikely to play back-to-back games, so allrounder Aaron Hardie could slot in. If Australia want to go a little light on batting, Hazlewood for Stoinis is also possible. Alex Carey is set to don the gloves again, but it may not necessarily be at the expense of Josh Inglis.

Australia (possible): 1 David Warner, 2 Mitchell Marsh, 3 Steven Smith, 4 Marnus Labuschagne, 5 Cameron Green, 6 Alex Carey, 7 Josh Inglis/Aaron Hardie, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Sean Abbott, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh Hazlewood.

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