January 19: India v Australia in Bengaluru
Our XI Alex Carey (wk), David Warner (capt), Steven Smith, Virat Kohli (vice-capt), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Marnus Labuschagne, Ravindra Jadeja, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Jasprit Bumrah
NOTE: We might not always be able to tip you off about a late injury (or other relevant updates)
Captain: David Warner
Warner's blistering 100 the last time these two teams met in Bengaluru gives him the nod for captain. He already has a 100 in the series, averages 64 in India, 70+ over the last year... All that, and a high-scoring venue work in his favour.
Vice Captain: Virat Kohli
His experience at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in the IPL gives him the deputy's position. His 78 in Rajkot also means he'll be heading into the game in form. He's Virat Kohli, you can't ignore the man.
Hot Picks
Kane Richardson: Richardson is one of the six from the XI that played in Rajkot to have also played in Bengaluru when the two sides met there in 2017. He was the pick of the bowlers that night with a 3 for 58 in a match where both teams scored 300+. His IPL stint with RCB also gives him that extra edge and he comes into the game with four wickets in two games in this series.
Shikhar Dhawan: The top run-getter in this series is a no-brainer for your XI. He could be your captain - we suppose many will choose him as captain on current form. Either way, you've got to have him.
Steven Smith: Another in-form player that cannot be ignored. Missed out on a 100 in Rajkot, but on a ground where the team that bats first averages 341 in the last five ODIs, Smith and his consistency is a fantasy gold mine.
Value Picks
Adam Zampa: Another game, another Virat Kohli wicket to his name. Zampa is full of confidence with a three-for in Rajkot, and with Bengaluru's short boundaries tempting batsmen against the spinner, Zampa is a safe punt.
KL Rahul: Despite batting at No. 5, KL Rahul could be your pick over many a top-order batsmen not just because of his strike rate of 112 in the series and his scores of 47 and 80, but also because of the points he will fetch as keeper. One stumping and two catches in Rajkot gave him extra points and it all adds up when you are competing with a huge crowd.
Marnus Labuschagne: A fluid 46 in Rajkot in his maiden ODI innings showed glimpses of what his ODI career can be. Batting at No. 4, Labuschagne could be the difference when the big names fail to fire. He can even be your pick for vice-captain, if you are one of those who likes a gamble now and then.
Point to note
The last two times these two teams met in Bengaluru, it was utter run fests, with first-innings scores of 334 and 383. Both chasing teams lost, but both aggregated over 310 themselves. So, best to wait for the toss and pick more batsmen from the team batting first but include all in-form top-order batsmen overall.