The third and the final ODI of the 3-match series between India and Australia is being played today at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennaim and both the teams will try their best to win this match because the winner of this game will also be the winner of the series which is leveled at 1-1 as of now.
Every ODI match is very important as it gives a chance to the Indian team for preparing for the ODI World Cup 2023 which is going to be held in India later this year. After the third ODI against Australia, India will play ODIs on its tour to West Indies which is scheduled in August and it may further play three more ODIs before the World Cup 2023. However, the Indian team management is pretty clear about the team and the combinations that it wants in the big event and this was informed to the mediapersons by the head coach of the Indian team, Rahul Dravid.
Ahead of the third ODI, Rahul Dravid attended a press conference in which he talked about India’s preparation for the World Cup 2023. He says that they have almost narrowed down 17-18 guys, though few guys are recovering from injuries and they may also be a part of the team if they get fine by that time. Rahul Dravid further says that over all, the Indian team is in a good space and they are clear about the type of the team they want to play in the World Cup.
He adds that they hope to give these players the maximum chances to play in India and if not in India, then overseas as well because the team management wants to ensure that these guys get maximum chance to play. Rahul Dravid further says that the team management is ready to try different combinations and is also ready to apply horses for courses approach even in the mega event.
The Wall as his fans call him adds that the World Cup is a big tournament and the Indian team will be playing in nine different cities in nine different conditions because of which they want flexibility in the team – for example, they should be able to play four pacers or three spinners, etc. The former Indian skipper states that regardless of what happens in the 3rd ODI against Australia, the Indian team management is pretty clear about the team which it will play in the World Cup 2023.
He also talks about Suryakuamr Yadav’s poor performance in the ODIs as in the first two matches of the series, SKY hasn’t been able to open his account. Rahul Dravid states that they are not much concerned about failure of Suryakumar Yadav in ODIs as he is finding it a little tough to adjust in ODIs from T20s because he has played in the IPL for many years but there is no tournament in the ODI format as the IPL is in T20I because of which the team needs to be patient with him.
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