Australia’s tour of India will start from February 24, the two-match T20I and five-match ODI series will offer the last chance to finalise their 15 member squad for the forthcoming ICC Cricket World. Though majority of the squad for the World Cup is finalised, a couple of spots still remain up for grabs.
The series against Australia will give the selectors a chance to make up their mind for the number four slot. Vijay Shankar throwing his name in the mix with his impressive performances in ODI and T20I series against New Zealand. Umesh Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat too have left the selectors in dilemma after their match-winning performances in the Ranji Trophy knock-out matches.
Skipper Virat Kohli who was rested from the Indian team after three ODIs that they played against New Zealand will make his comeback for the Australia series. Stand-in captain Rohit Sharma might be rested for the T20Is and the ODIs against the Kangaroos following his hectic schedule from Australia and New Zealand.
Rohit Sharma’s opening partner Shikhar Dhawan might be rested for the later-half of the ODI series in order to provide few opportunities to KL Rahul at top order. The series will be crucial for Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik as both of them are struggling to find a place in the World Cup squad.
India have already won the three-match ODI series in Australia by 2-1 and in the process won their first bilateral ODI series in Australia.