Forget 7-0 sweep in Australia’s favour for the time being as the series is well poised at 1-1 and the visitors are finding it taxing to even field a quality XI for the third one-dayer against the mighty Indians at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Saturday.
While the Aussies dominated most of the first ODI at Baroda, India stamped their authority with a super-duper 99-run win in the second ODI.
Australia’s worries rests not just on the field but off it too, with injuries to key players such as Brett Lee and all-rounder James Hopes and with wicketkeeper Tim Paine flying back home, their problems have only increased manifold. Paine’s replacement — Graham Manou — is not as well equipped.
The visitors will ponder over allowing Shaun Marsh to open with all-rounder Shane Watson. Marsh batted at No. 7 in Nagpur scoring a run-a-ball 21 in a losing cause. Hopes will sit out Saturday’s tie as well.
India, on the other hand, are looking the stronger of the two sides. Opener Sehwag hasn’t shown any tardiness after his return but his partner Sachin Tendulkar has had a below-average series thus far.
Skipper Dhoni’s fifth ODI century displayed that he still has the firepower and can explode when the requirement arises. Gautam Gambhir has been scintillating in the series so far with back-to-back half centuries.
With powerful straight hitters like Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina in the ranks, India will fancy their chances. However, a big worry for Dhoni will be the form of offie Harbhajan Singh who has been mediocre so far but the Kotla track might provide him with a bit more assistance.
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