Despite the defeat, captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday said the Indian team management is clear about their “playing XI” going into the World Cup as only one slot is up for grabs.

“We are sorted combination. We know our playing XI is going into the World Cup. There will be just one change based on condition,” Kohli said at the post-match press conference.

“When Hardik Pandya will come back, he will give depth in batting and open up options in bowling. We know where we are going. We are clear about our playing XI. Now, it’s about giving guys their roles and expect them to stand up. Maybe there’s just one spot we’ve to discuss,” he said.

On being asked about giving a chance to rookies, the captain said it was part of the idea and he will not use it as an excuse for India’s defeat in the five-match series.

“Last three games, the idea was to give fringe guys some (game) time and see how they react. No excuses, we’re expected to raise our standard of cricket. The changes will never be an excuse. We will (still) take a lot of confidence going into the World Cup,” Kohli said.

Kohli further said he wants his players to reflect on the mistakes made before going into the World Cup.

“It’s good we have had these losses, to correct these at the World Cup. The guys will reflect on this series quite a bit. We have been playing a lot of games on the road. We can be proud of the cricket that we’ve played in the last few months. The series didn’t go well yes, but we’ve played well,” he said.

When quipped about the series lose, the captain heaped praises on the opposition side, saying, “Australia deserved to win”.

“We certainly thought it was a gettable target, they got away from us in the end, 15-20 more than what we could have kept them to. Overall, Australia deserved to win, they played with more passion, hunger and heart. Were brave in pressure situations, they way they raised their intensity meant they were deserving winners,” Kohli said.

With the conclusion of series, India have brought the curtain down to their international season ahead of World Cup while Australia will tour UAE to play against Pakistan, starting March 22. 

The post India X1 WC 2019: Kohli says India clear about their playing XI appeared first on Crickex.

Australian vice-captain Alex Carey said his team has grown in confidence. This especially at a time when Steve Smith and David Warner are raring to make a comeback into the WC squad.

“We were put under pressure early in the series. It is obviously really exciting going into tomorrow (Wednesday) with the series on the line,�?Carey said on the eve of the fifth ODI here at the Ferozeshah Kotla.

When: India vs Australia, 5th ODI, March 13, 2019, 13:30 IST

Where: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi

What to expect: A pleasant afternoon with a high of 25 degrees Celsius. What happens post twilight, however, will be of much intrigue. Dew is expected to play a part but not to the extent it did up north in Mohali.

The Kotla surface has slowed down over the years, making target defence an attractive proposition. In fact, the last two international white-ball fixtures here have been won by teams batting first. But will Kohli, once bitten, dare to take on the dew again?

Team News:

India: Kohli stated in his pre-series presser that performances in the IPL will not influence selection for the World Cup team. At face value, that statement leaves India with this one ODI to create a mental pecking order. Rahul or Rayudu? Pant or Karthik?

India didn’t get a clear look at Rahul in Mohali given the openers had put on 193 and those following had to veer away from templates. Rahul also batted at 3, a move that could have wider ramifications to the team’s batting balance.

He is likely to get another game to stake his claim considering the man he replaced, Ambati Rayudu, hasn’t exactly painted himself in glory. Similarly, Dinesh Karthik, could find his stocks rising without playing if Pant endures another scratchy game. The latter will have to up his game behind the stumps and reinforce his standing as a dynamic middle-order batsman.

Bowling coach Bharat Arun confirmed that Mohammed Shami was fully fit. However, the bowling attack should get a dew allowance for its failings in Mohali and stay unchanged.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah

Australia: Marcus Stoinis, who fractured his thumb, will not play. Alex Carey will hold on to his keeping gloves for the time being. Pat Cummins seemed fatigued and bowled an uncharacteristically loose first spell at Mohali despite ending with a five-fer. The workload of his strenuous summer was finally showing. Finch had promised rest for his spearhead in Hyderabad, but the prospect of a series win might just force him to defer that call.

Probable XI: Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff/Nathan Lyon

Did you know?

• If India lose the series, it will be their first ODI series defeat at home since losing 3-2 to South Africa in October 2015.
• There have been only four previous instances of a team winning a series after being 0-2 down: SA vs Pak in 2003, Ban vs Zim in 2005, Pak vs Ind in 2005 and SA vs Eng in 2016.
• Rohit Sharma needs 46 more runs to the milestone of 8000 runs. If he gets there in his next innings, he will be the joint third fastest to the landmark.

What they said:

“Vijay Shankar’s batting has rubbed off on his bowling. He used to bowl around 120kph before but now can touch 130. He is a huge positive for us” – Bharat Arun

India vs Australia 5th ODI Teams:

Australia (From): Aaron Finch(c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey(w), Jhye Richardson, Pat Cummins, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa, Marcus Stoinis, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Nathan Lyon, Andrew Tye

India (From): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, Ambati Rayudu

The post India vs Australia 5th ODI Preview: Just a series decider? appeared first on Crickex.

Ashton Turner scored 84 runs off 43 balls to take Australia to the target after Peter Handscomb and Usman Khawaja had kept Australian hopes alive with a massive partnership.

Australia had lost two early wickets in their chase of 359 as Captain Aaron Finch was sent back for a duck by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Jasprit Bumrah then removed Shaun Marsh to deal another blow to the visitors.

Usman Khawaja (91) fell short of scoring successive centuries but Handscomb soon completed his hundred. Glenn Maxwell was looking dangerous before being trapped by Kuldeep Yadav for 23. Yuzvendra Chahal got the wicket of Peter Handscomb (117). Turner and Alex Carey then added 86 runs in just 39 balls for the sixth wicket.

Earlier, India posted 358/9 in their 50 overs. Shikhar Dhawan (143) and Rohit Sharma (95) were the stars for India as they added 193 runs for the first wicket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag as the second most successful batting pair for India. 

Australia: 359/6 after 47.5 overs (Peter Handscomb 117, Usman Khawaja 91, Ashton Turner 84*)

India: 358/9 after 50 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 143, Rohit Sharma 95)

Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bat first. The men in blue make four changes: KL Rahul comes in Ambati Rayudu, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is in for Shami, Rishabh Pant for MS Dhoni and Yuzvendra Chahal is in for Ravindra Jadeja.

India vs Australia 4th ODI: Here’s the story of the match

1. Toss: India win and opt to bat first, make four changes

India won the toss and opted to bat first. Indian team makes four changes: KL Rahul comes in Ambati Rayudu, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is in for Shami, Rishabh Pant for MS Dhoni and Yuzvendra Chahal is in for Ravindra Jadeja.

Here’s a look at the teams:

India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant(w), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah.

Australia: Aaron Finch(c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey(w), Jhye Richardson, Pat Cummins, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa.

Shikhar-Rohit put up 58 runs in first 10 overs

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan gave India a great start putting up 58 runs in the first 60 balls

Gabbar is back! Dhawan completes half-century

After having an inconsistent run, Shikar Dhawan gets his half-century. With a perfectly timed straight drive, the pressure’s off the southpaw for now at least.

100 up for India

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan help put 100 up for India.

Most 100+ opening stands in ODIs:

21 Sachin Tendulkar – Sourav Ganguly
16 Adam Gilchrist – Matthew Hayden
15 Gordon Greenidge – Desmond Haynes
15 Rohit Sharma – Shikar Dhawan

Hitman at its best! 50 up for Rohit Sharma

The Hitman scores a half-century. Rohit Sharma along with Shikhar Dhawan have put India in a good spot.

He needs 91 more to reach 8000 ODI runs.

Rohit Sharma OUT

Just five runs away from a century and Rohit Sharma is out. Rohit just gets into the perfect position for the pull but doesn’t keep it down.
Handscomb catches the ball at the cow corner boundary to perfection.

Jhye Richardson gets his first wicket.

Rohit 95(92) [4s-7 6s-2]

Shikhar Dhawan out for 143

India vs Australia 4th ODI: Shikhar Dhawan finally fell in the 38th over. He added 143 runs off 115 balls with 3 sixes and 18 fours. It has been a great return to form for the Indian opener.

India score 358-9 in Mohali

India vs Australia 4th ODI: India post 358/9 in their 50 overs thanks to the 193-run stand between Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. India were looking good for more when those two were batting. Vijay Shankar (26 off 15 balls) and Jasprit Bumrah’s six off the last ball have taken India to a good total even for a batting-friendly pitch in Mohali.

Australia lose two early wickets

Australia lost captain Aaron Finch for a duck in the first over in their chase of 359. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took the wicket. Jasprit Bumrah then sent back Shaun Marsh to deal another blow to the visitors.

Bumrah breaks the stand

The stand was finally broken in 34th over as Usman Khawaja (91) fell short of a second successive century. Jaspirt Bumrah got his second wicket as Kuldeep Yadav took a good catch at deep fine leg.

Peter Handscomb hits hundred

Peter Handscomb completed his first ODI hundred. The right-handed batsman took 92 balls to reach triple figures.

Maxwell, Handscomb out

Glenn Maxwell was looking dangerous before being trapped by Kuldeep Yadav for 23. Yuzvendra Chahal then got the big wicket of Peter Handscomb (117). He went for the big one but found the fielder.

Ashton Turner takes Australia to 4-wicket win

Ashton Turner and Alex Carey added 86 runs in just 39 balls for the sixth wicket. Turner remained not out on 84 off 43 balls as Australia reached the target of 359 with 13 balls to go. This was Australia’s highest-successful chase against India.

The post India vs Australia 4th ODI: Turner stars as Australia chase down 359 appeared first on Crickex.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to replace Shami?

The Indian playing 11 will also have Bhuvneshwar Kumar as he replaces Mohammed Shami, who was hit on the leg in his follow through during the third match. Shami completed his spell but since he is expected to share the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah in England, it is natural to give him precautionary rest.

When: India vs Australia, 4th ODI, March 10, 2019, 13:30 IST

Where: PCA IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali

What to expect: A large part of playing strategy will centre around Mohali’s large square boundaries. Running between the wickets and defending/attacking the shorter straight boundaries will be crucial as evidenced in the last clash between these two sides at this venue during the 2016 World T20. Temperate weather (max. 25 degree Celsius) and a hospitable pitch will keep those in search of runs in a temperate mood. The last time an ODI was played here, India scored 392 with Rohit Sharma making 208.

Team News:

India: The Indian captain promised changes and chances for fringe players at the presentation ceremony in Ranchi. That was followed by news of a rest for MS Dhoni. That paves the way for Rishabh Pant, who will have two chances to prove that he, and not Dinesh Karthik, should go to the World Cup as the team’s reserve keeper. KL Rahul would love some game time himself although that is unlikely to come at the expense of Dhawan, who the team is backing to regain his form. Mohammed Shami, who went off the field in Ranchi with a minor injury, should make way for Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

India remain uncertain about Ravindra Jadeja’s role in the side with the all-rounder yet to provide the batting assurance at No. 8 that helped him pip Yuzvendra Chahal in the first place. A rollback could be in the offing with the wrist spinner offering more of an attacking threat with the ball.

Probable XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja/Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

Australia: Given the short turnaround ahead of this game, Australia will be unable to include Nathan Coulter-Nile (paternity leave) back in the side. A toss up between playing an additional seamer – Jason Behrendorff – and a spinner – Nathan Lyon – will be the only major selection call for Finch and Langer.

Probable XI: Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Adam Zampa, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon/Jason Behrendorff

Did you know?

• Australia have a good record in ODIs in Mohali, winning five out of the six matches they played here, including all four since 1997.
• If Virat Kohli scores a century in the fourth ODI, he will become the first player to score three successive hundreds in ODIs on two separate occasions.
• Shikhar Dhawan has now played 17 consecutive innings since his last ODI hundred – the joint longest for him. He endured a similar lean patch between December 2013 and October 2014 without a three-figure score.

What they said:

“He’s [Dhawan] an important player for us, and we know that if he gets going, he can give us that solidity. It’s also vital to have the right-left combination going, so he’s a hugely valuable player for us, and we are expecting him to come good very soon.” – Sanjay Bangar

“I have been training really hard and working on my game as hard as I possibly can. I have always had the faith I would get some runs.” – Aaron Finch

Teams:

India (From): Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant(w), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lokesh Rahul

Australia (From): Aaron Finch(c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye

The post India vs Australia 4rd ODI Preview: 4 changes in Kohli’s 11 for Mohali ODI appeared first on Crickex.

The ‘Mahi�?factor

The crucial contest will take place in JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi �?the homeground of former India skipper MS Dhoni. With the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman likely to retire after the World Cup, it might be the final time Dhoni steps out in Ranchi for an international match in the blue jersey.

The 37-year-old has been in solid form in 2019, with an average of 100.33 in eight games. He has already amassed 301 runs in the year so far, with 87* against Australia being the highest score. Dhoni has proved to be a vital asset for the team lower down the order and has taken India to victories from precarious positions more than once this year.

With all eyes on him in Ranchi, the veteran would hope to put on another good show with the bat and the gloves to bid farewell to his hometown on a high. The Ranchi crowd would love to feast their eyes on another �?em>Mahi maar raha hai�?show, and if it could lead India to a series win, it would be another memorable night for MSD.

When: India vs Australia, 3rd ODI, March 8, 2019, 13:30 Local Time

Where: JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi

What to expect: Weather-wise, the north of India can be a little less taxing on the cricketers at this time of the year, which Bhuvneshwar Kumar reckoned was the best to play cricket in. A sunny day is up ahead with gentle maximum temperatures of 26, as opposed to the ones in the early 30s in the previous two venues.

The teams can anticipate assistance for spin – based on past record. India’s last two fixtures at this venue have come against Australia – a win in a rain-truncated T20I in October 2017 and a Pujara-Smith-Maxwell dominated drawn Test in March same year.

Team News:

India

Bhuvneshwar Kumar spent the maximum time bowling during an optional nets session on Thursday (March 7) and pretty much confirmed his inclusion in the press conference that followed. Mohammed Shami is likely to make way. Rishabh Pant too was out to train on the eve of the game, combining his keeping drills with batting that would eventually end with a round of six-hitting that he aced.

Having watched Vijay Shankar from the closest possible quarter in the second ODI, Virat Kohli could be tempted to try the Tamil Nadu all-rounder at No.4 in place of Ambati Rayudu in order to accommodate Pant as one of the finishers.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Ambati Rayudu/Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav

Australia

The visitors did little wrong in Nagpur. Shaun Marsh’s return may not have been in line with Australia’s expectation, but he’s been a form player in the 50-overs format and also allows the visitors to play Marcus Stoinis in the middle-order, from where he can help the side finish better.

Australia will continue to closely monitor Nathan Lyon’s white-ball fortunes as he bids to make it to England for the World Cup.

Probable XI: Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Nathan Coulter-Nile/Jhye Richardson, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa

Did You Know

-> If India win the third ODI, it would give them their 50th ODI win against Australia, the third team to do so after West Indies and England.

-> A win in Ranchi would give Virat Kohli his 50th win as captain in ODIs. Only Clive Lloyd and Ricky Ponting have reached the milestone in fewer ODIs.

-> In his last 15 ODI innings, Shikhar Dhawan has scored 376 runs at an average of 26.85 and has gone past 50 only twice.

What they said:

“I’m not worried about who’s getting a chance and who’s not. More importantly, it’s about getting rest. Shami got rest in New Zealand, I got rest in this series. You want to be consistent, [and] for that you want to be fit. You want to give your 100 percent every match. That’s the reason why I took rest, Shami took rest in New Zealand, Bumrah too rest in Australia. We are not worried about who’s going to play.” – Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

“I am really enjoying being back playing the shorter formats, and being back in coloured clothing for Australia. For me it is just about enjoying the challenge and trying to get better at playing shorter formats. I am one for always learning about cricket. I want to get better each and every day that I come out to bowl” – Nathan Lyon.

Teams:

India (From): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rishabh Pant, Lokesh Rahul

Australia (From): Aaron Finch(c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey(w), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye, Ashton Turner, Jason Behrendorff, Jhye Richardson

The post India vs Australia 3rd ODI Preview: Team news, possible XI appeared first on Crickex.

Just like the Sunil Gavaskar stand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai or the Virender Sehwag gate at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi, the swanky Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) stadium will have its very own ‘Mahendra Singh Dhoni Pavilion’

“At the AGM last year, the decision was taken that the North Block stand that comprises media enclosure as well as VIP boxes would be named after Dhoni,” said Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) secretary Debashis Chakraborty.

However, Dhoni didn’t agree to inaugurate the stand, said Chakraborty.

“We requested him but he said ‘Dada apne hi ghar mein kya inaugurate karna.’ (What’s there to inaugurate in my own house). He is still so humble and down to earth, Chakraborty said.

The third ODI against Australia on Friday is expected to be Dhoni’s last game in his home town but the JSCA top official said they do not have any special plans in place.

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