Australia's hopes of lifting the trophy for a record sixth time appear to have taken a battering in this series, and they will need to restore their confidence.
India vs Australia | Third ODI | Wednesday 27 September 2023 | Khandheri Cricket Stadium, Rajkot | 10:00
India 72/100 | Draw 25/1 | Australia 23/20
India will welcome back a few more of their big guns for the final match of the series and are looking great ahead of the Cricket World Cup, which is now less than two weeks away.
The players in the squad have made the choice of who makes way for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli a tough one.
Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer tonned up in their last innings, but KL Rahul is a senior player who has been leading the team and also knocked fifty last time out.
Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gakwad look likely to be the men to make way, while for others a positional switch might be called for.
India have to be delighted with how Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are bowling ahead of the World Cup, but one or both of them might get a rest here.
Australia’s problem is that returning players aren’t carrying the same form as others had in the time they were away.
Mitchell Marsh was rested for the second ODI, and Australia missed him in their top order even with Cameron Green back in the lineup.
Steve Smith’s form heading into the World Cup is a major worry for Australia, and the next match in this series will be an important one for him.
Marbus Labuschagne would like to nail down his place as the replacement for Travis Head should the top-order batter not pass fit for the World Cup.
Verdict: India
India will continue their charge.
