AUS vs IND 2nd ODI: 3 players to watch

After registering a historic win in Test series, Team India was floored by Australia in the first ODI. And what was more amusing was the way India’s batting surrendered to a second-string Aussie bowling attack.

Now, with the series on the line, the Indian team has to find answers to several daunting questions and Kohli has to ensure India is in the right frame of mind before the world cup.

India will bank on these three players in the second ODI and will look to level the series.

#3. Ambati Rayudu-

He has the confidence of the captain, he has the experience but somehow the consistency is lacking from Rayudu. Despite having a fifty plus average in ODIs, Rayudu has struggled to step up when it matters the most.

The Indian number four will play a big role in the second ODI as he has the game to counter Lyon’s off-spin in the middle overs but the question is can he survive the pace attack?

#2. Rohit Sharma-

The prolific opener showed his class once again in the first ODI and will be expected to do the same in the second ODI. He proved that he can smash sixes at will even in the big Australian grounds and can control the innings with little support from the other end.

The winning formula for India is simple- two of their top three should get big scores and hence Rohit will once again be India’s MVP in the second ODI.

Rohit Sharma now has the most ODI hundreds against Australia in Australia, but all four have come in defeatshttps://t.co/kDBICHqExM #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/17jbLc0whp

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 12, 2019

#1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar-

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's last three overs cost 40 runs and leaked four fours and two sixes. No longer the death bowler he once was of late. #AUSvIND

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) January 12, 2019

After warming benches for four Tests, Bhuvneshwar finally received a chance to prove his mettle in the first ODI but he missed it. In Bumrah’s absence, Bhuvi is India’s leader of the bowling attack and India needs him to step up.

India would want Bhuvi to give break-throughs with the new ball and stop the runs in the death overs.