Team India would be aiming to get the better of hosts Australia in the upcoming three-match ODI series, the first of which would be played at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. The Men in Blue last played ODIs way back in the month of February against the Kiwis and now, with some of their key players enjoying a great form in the concluded edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in UAE, one could expect the tourists to render a match-winning show versus Aaron Finch & Co and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
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One of the names that have been garnering immense attention is – KL Rahul – Team India’s vice-captain and first choice wicket-keeper on this tour for both ODIs and T20Is. The Karnataka cricketer had a majestic run in this year’s IPL as he clobbered 670 runs in 14 innings at an average and strike rate of 55.83 and 129.34 respectively. He registered an unbeaten 132 off 69 deliveries against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) which is the highest score by an Indian cricketer and a wicket-keeper batsman in IPL history.
In ODIs played earlier this year, Rahul amassed 350 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 70.00, comprising a blistering 52-ball 80 against Australia in the home series while batting at number 5 in the order. He managed to carry his form into the series that followed against New Zealand as he struck a hundred and a fifty, and emerged as one of the highest run-getters from the touring unit.
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Taking in light his form and his prowess in the limited-overs, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has opined that the 28-year-old could score a double-hundred in the upcoming one-dayers against a lineup comprising Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Adam Zampa.
With Rohit Sharma missing out on the limited-overs owing to a hamstring injury sustained in IPL, it is still a question as to who would open the innings alongside Shikhar Dhawan, who was in a great nick in IPL 2020. If Sanju Samson is picked purely as a wicket-keeper then KL could open the innings. However, Mayank Agarwal had previously batted at the opening slot in the tour of New Zealand, so it is likely that he might be offered the same spot in the forthcoming duels.
Mayank Agarwal opening is a big question, says Aakash Chopra
“This question does not have an easy answer because Rohit is not there. So, the question is who will be opening with Shikhar, who will be one of the openers in ODIs and T20Is. Do you see Mayank Agarwal opening, that is a big question, or will you see towards Sanju Samson or open with KL Rahul,” replied Chopra to one of his fan’s question on his YouTube channel.
KL Rahul has been a designated wicket-keeper batsman on five occasions in the 50-over format. And so far, he has aggregated 303 runs at an average of 75.75 and a strike rate of 114.77 along with a century and two half-centuries to his name.
“My heart says that KL Rahul should open because the sort of player he is, he scores hundreds, and in my opinion, if he plays very well, he can even score a double hundred in ODIs,” said the 43-year-old.
The cricketer-turned expert then picked India’s predicted XI in the 3-match ODIs –
“So this is how the team will look like – Mayank with Shikhar, Kohli at No.3, Iyer at No.4, Rahul at No.5, Hardik at No.6, Jaddu at No.7 and after that four bowlers – Chahal, Bumrah, Shami and I will go with T Natarajan.”
