All eyes are set on the upcoming 5 match ODI series between hosts India and current World Champions Australia scheduled from March 2- March 13.
While, the 50 over clash will mark the final international outing for the Men in Blue before the all-important ICC Cricket World 2019, Aussies, on the other hand, will face the Champions Trophy winners, Pakistan in UAE, where the duo will battle out in 5 ODIs from March 22- March 31.
India aims to focus on gaining the lost momentum from their last outing in the T20 series, whereas Aaron Finch, limited over the captain of Australia look to lead the side in the upcoming World Cup in comparatively better personal form. Finch hasn’t registered a single 50 across both limited over format over last 19 innings, a statistics both the team and management look to improve upon before their flight takes off to England.
India Squad:
Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3rd, 4th & 5th ODI), Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Siddharth Kaul (1st and 2nd ODI), Ravindra Jadeja.
Australia squad:
Aaron Finch (Capt), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
The following are eleven players who will look to create an impact on the field and top the list on Fantasy picks:
- Rohit Sharma- Batsmen (India):
The Hit-man has shown the true potential of destructive limited overs batsmen and has turned out to be a gem for his national side. Eager to lead Mumbai Indians during the international break, the Mumbaikar aims to leave an everlasting impact against one of his favorite opponents. Already scoring double tons on Eden Gardens (vs SL), M Chinnaswamy (vs AUS) & PCA IS Bindra ground (vs SL), “Sharmaji ka ladka” will look forward to a dominating outing in the 5 match series.
- Glen Maxwell- Batsmen (Australia):
After bagging the Player of the Match & Player of the series post his destructive knock of 113*(55) in the final T20I against India, Maxi helped his team bag its maiden shortest format series in India. Aussies were dominated by Pakistan in the 3 T20I tri-series including Zimbabwe as Pakistan grabbed by the series by defeating Aussies twice including in the final. The right-handed batsman has capitalized on his ability to play on Indian wickets and look to firm his position in the WC squad targeting upcoming ODI series.
- Virat Kohli- Batsmen (India):
The Indian skipper leads the team with a captain’s knock of 72*(38) against Australia in Bengaluru which went out in vain as the visitors claimed a 7 wicket victory over the hosts. However, the burden lies on the shoulder of the skipper of the team to regain the confidence back in his teammates. It has been observed that Virat plays a dominant inning especially under pressure which makes him a good pick for Fantasy Cricket Team.
- D Arcy Short- Batsman (Australia):
Finishing as the second highest scorer of the recently concluded Big Bash League (BBL) playing for Hobart Hurricanes and being the slow-left arm Chinaman for his national side, Short look to confirm his playing XI for the World Cup side and could be top preferred all-rounder in the fantasy picks.
- M.S Dhoni – Wicketkeeper (India):
Leading India to its maiden bilateral series win Down Under playing a composed knock of 87* along with Kedar Jadhav, thereby guiding India towards victory and being declared as Man of the Series, M.S is the undisputed choice of wicketkeeper-batsmen.
- Marcus Stoinis – All rounder (Australia):
Stoinis provides the flexibility to the squad to play an all-rounder where the conditions demand of playing an extra bowling unit, thereby scoring those extra runs and earning you some extra points.
- Kedar Jadhav – All rounder (India):
Being recognised as attacking middle-order batsmen for India, Jadhav has the ability to bring the team on track if the star batsmen fail to fire on any given day. Also 4-5 over in the middle of innings from the left-hander brings out variation and provides rest for the attacking pacers.
- Jasprit Bumrah – Bowler (India):
Being rested for the ODI series Down Under in January 2019, Bumrah look to carry ahead the tag of “Death- over specialist” achieved from the previous ICC event – Champions Trophy 2017 to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Bumrah certainly look to outperform his opposition in the upcoming 5 match ODI series and thereby could be a hot pick for the fantasy league.
- Kuldeep Yadav – Bowler (India):
Shifting his focus towards the ODI series against Australia, the slow-left arm Chinaman has receiving tips from his idol- Shane Warne. “Taking one series at a time and sticking with the basics and not trying anything different” as quoted by Yadav makes him a definite choice in playing XI.
- Adam Zampa – Bowler (Australia):
With most capped ODI bowler in the squad among other specialist bowlers, Zampa certainly look ahead to lead the charge of the bowling unit. With just 2 wickets in 6 innings in the previous year, he will be keen towards improving his statistics before the final call for the World Cup is announced.
- Pat Cummins – Bowler (Australia):
Post hitting the winning runs in the 1st T20 against India at Vizag, Pat seems to be the most subtle Aussie player who has the ability to keep the economy rate under 5 in death overs and also clinch a last ball victory for his nation. Cummins, surely is a great choice for a place in a fantasy league with his ability to get his team through “clutch” situations.
