India vs Australia, ODI series: Players who could have the most influence

India vs Australia 2020 series schedule is set to take part in a three-match ODI series, starting January 14 in Mumbai.
Team India has been on a dominant mode of late and the results will please the management and the fans alike. Post the 2019 World Cup, India have gone unbeaten in all the series they have taken part across formats. That’s a testament of this Virat Kohli-led side. 
However, this upcoming series against the Aussies will be India’s most defining period in over four months of cricket on home soil. Australia, like Team India have enjoyed a similar phase.
They have won two T20I tournaments, besides winning two Test series and also drawing the Ashes 2019. That’s pretty crucial in terms of gaining confidence and building the self belief. 
India are a tough nut on home soil and it’s the Aussies that can overpower them. Back in 2019, India were stunned 3-2 by the Aussies at their own backyard.
That series will give Aussies the belief that things can be done once again. Overall, it promises to be a defining series on offer with plenty at stake. The two heavyweights will want to get the better off each other and come out supreme. 
Moreover, India will turn their attention towards the New Zealand tour post this series. Therefore, winning this one serves plenty of purpose for the Men in Blue. Ahead of the three-match series, we look at the players who could have maximum influence

Kohli and Rohit the pivotal names in the ranks for Team India

India’s two main pillars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be pivotal for the side. The two senior batsmen ended as the highest run-scorers last year in ODIs.
Rohit topped the billing, whereas, Kohli followed suit. Both are top ODI customers and know the demands of the game. If India are to do well, then Kohli and Rohit will have to fire for the hosts. 
Their run-scoring factor will determine the course as India will be aiming to post high totals.
Both love batting against Australia and will fancy their chances. The powerful Aussie bowling unit will test these two.
However, they need to count on the basics and go about usual business. Rohit, who was rested for the T20Is against Sri Lanka, makes a return to the side. Notably, he is chasing many milestones in this series. 
Kohli, too, is eyeing a few records and things could get interesting.

Navdeep Saini and Bumrah could make the difference for India

Navdeep Saini was top notch in the recently-concluded T20Is against Lanka. The pacer claimed five wickets in two games and was adjudged the man of the series.
Saini can bowl at real pace and has the credentials to pick up wickets. He will need to focus on the simplicities and bowl with some gusto.
The pacer’s presence gives India someone, who can be extremely handy in the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. Saini, who came in as a replacement for Deepak Chahar against West Indies earlier, has taken his chances.
Meanwhile, premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah made a return to the Indian cricket team after a gap of four months.
He looked sharp against Lanka and bowled to his potential. Bumrah is the main threat for the Aussies in this series. There are few who can match his intelligence. When Kohli needs wickets in the middle overs, Bumrah can come to his rescue.
His influence at the death can power the Indians. Finch has already praised the bowler and said the Bumrah factor cannot have an overbearing on the team.

India need to be wary of Finch and Warner delights

In limited-overs cricket, very few opening partnere can match the standards of Aaron Finch and David Warner. The two are a visual treat and can go on a rampant mode in no time.
What they bring is consistency and understanding. The two were unstoppable in the ICC World Cup 2019 and played a major part in helping Australia reach the semis. Then the two decimated Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the T20Is at home last October-November. 
With plenty of experience under their belt, these two can thwart any attack in the world.
The likes of Bumrah and Saini will need to be up their mark in order to not let these two run away with the game. The two top guns compliment each other well and one can take the time to play that anchor role.
With Indian pitches accustomed to big scores, Warner and Finch can set the ball rolling. To create a platform for the likes of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will be a key attribute. 

Can India stop Cummins-Starc show in this series?

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are two of the most lethal bowlers in world cricket. They have what it takes to hurt India with match-defining spells. Last year, Cummins topped the billing with most ODI wickets for Australia.
The right-arm pacer, who drew the highest bid in the IPL 2020 Auction, has been a continuous menace in the Test format where he is ranked number one.
Starc wasn’t far behind. The latter was in another level in the ICC world Cup 2019. He was the most successful bowler and went on to be highly decisive in breaking partnerships at key moments. He claimed 27 scalps in the tournament and his versatility was too strong to handle for many teams.
Both these pacers’ confidence will be running high after a productive show against New Zealand in the two-match Test series.
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