IND vs AUS, 1st ODI: Jadeja to come in for Iyer; Shami & Siraj to pace attack under Pandya

The two teams will now turn their attention to the one-day internationals (ODIs), following a four-match Test series in which India defeated Australia 2-1 to win the Border Gavaskar Trophy for the fourth time in a row. The five-time ODI champions Australia will have a good chance to test themselves in the same conditions for three ODIs because of the World Cup in India later this year.

On Friday, the two will go head to head at the Wankhede Arena in Mumbai. Here is how the Indian team might appear going into the first One-Day International, taking into account injuries, players being rested, and a new captain in charge.

Jadeja to step in for Iyer

A natural replacement has emerged since Shreyas Iyer’s back injury recurred and he was ruled out of the ODI series. Ravindra Jadeja returned from a right knee injury in the Test series, but he did not play in the ODI series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand earlier this year.

With 22 scalps in the four matches, Jadeja was the joint-second leading wicket taker in the Tests. The management of the team would want to provide the southpaw all-rounder with much-needed playing time in the format due to the ODI World Cup coming up later this year and the fact that there are not many bilateral series left in the run up to it.

Shami and Siraj to lead pace unit

In terms of India’s pace attack, the injury to Jasprit Bumrah has added weight to Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj’s shoulders. In the five One-Day International matches that they have played this year, the pair has combined to take 21 wickets.

With Hardik Pandya as captain, India can play a few more spinners alongside Jadeja without sacrificing their batting and choose someone like Shardul Thakur as an additional useful option with the ball and the bat. Hardik Pandya has been able to consistently bowl in regular spells for India. Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel.

Kishan to open with Gill

The first match will be without Rohit Sharma. Ishan Kishan, who has been liked as India’s third opener in white ball cricket over the recent years is probably going to open close by in-structure Shubman Gill in Mumbai.

Squads

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Yuzvendra Chahal, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, Jaydev Unadkat, Washington Sundar, Suryakumar Yadav.

Australia: Steve Smith (c) Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.