Ashwin likely to play in last one dayer

The Indians came a cropper while defending three back-to -back 300-plus totals and in the fourth match in Canberra, they bungled inexplicably from a position of strength to fail in chasing as well.  And it would take a special resolve to recover from the demoralising debacles to manage at least one positive result before the three-match Twenty20 series starting January 26 in Adelaide. 

Australia’s only concern is regarding Glenn Maxwell, who went off the field in Canberra owing to a blow to his right knee. But as seen previously in the series, they have ample names to fill in any voids in their playing eleven.  For India, the concerns are more realistic, simply because they do not have the luxurious cushion of a series lead.  

The very purpose of the current international schedule is to get into a limited-overs’ set-up, particularly T20 cricket, with the World Cup on the horizon.  Thus, the ensuing T20I series assumes more significance on this tour, yet the visitors will not want to entirely waste the first leg of this trip. Ajinkya Rahane could be a doubtful starter for this game, owing to the stitches on his right hand. He did bat in the runchase at Canberra, but only because the Indian lower-order was in free-fall.  

Since he is a vital member of the T20 line-up, the team management will want him to regain full fitness ahead of next week’s clashes than risk further injury in a dead-rubber. Manish Pandey is expected to be slotted into the middle order, perhaps even bat at number four should the situation arise, as India will want optimal cover in their line-up for Rahane’s absence. 

There is also a case for R Ashwin to return in place of Gurkeerat Mann who hasn’t impressed with either bat or ball in his two outings so far.  Ashwin, who sat out in both Melbourne and Canberra, holds the key to the bowling attack in the T20 format. 

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will want to give him some match practice ahead of the upcoming series, even if it doesn’t help sort out India’s regular problems regarding team balance.