1. Team News: India
While India will take momentum into this third ODI, their only worry at the moment is the fifth bowling option. So far in the series, senior pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami have been impressive, while the two left-arm spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja have provided control and breakthroughs in the middle overs. In the absence of Hardik Pandya, India have used a full-time seamer as their fifth bowling option both at Sydney and Adelaide. Khaleel Ahmed (0-55) and Mohammed Siraj (0-76) though failed to impress in their respective outings. It becomes a particularly crucial aspect considering that India will go in with the same batting line-up as in the first two matches. Seam bowling all-rounder Vijay Shankar and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal are in contention and both had a rigorous workout during the optional training session on Thursday at the MCG. However, the argument against Shankar is whether the Indian team management can trust him enough to deliver 10 overs on ODI debut.
2. India's middle-order
If Kohli does pick Shankar for his ODI debut, it would disturb the set batting line-up and make space for Kedar Jadhav. The fifth bowler's 10 overs can then be divided between Jadhav and Shankar. This move would mean one of Ambati Rayudu or Dinesh Karthik will be left out. Karthik was handy in finishing the second ODI, while Rayudu has been rusty but seen as India's favoured number four option, making this a tough decision for the Indian captain. Dhoni's form, which has been a constant concern for a while now, has been decent so far and he has two consecutive half-centuries to draw confidence from.
3. Team News: Australia
Australia, on the other hand, have one selection worry due to pacer Jason Behrendorff's sore back. Billy Stanlake is expected to come into the playing eleven for a straight swap, as spelled out by skipper Aaron Finch. The hosts will be worried about lack of runs from their opening duo, Finch and Alex Carey, with their middle-order having to do the bull work in the last two matches. Australia have won nine out of the 14 ODIs played against India at the MCG, and it should inspire them on Friday as they are still on the cusp of winning their first ODI series since January 2017.
4. Teams
India: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Vijay Shankar.
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), 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, Ashton Turner, Adam Zampa.
5. Telecast
The match starts at 7.50 AM IST and it will be live on Sony Sports Networks and streamed on SONY LIV. Alternately, you can also follow the MyKhel Live Updates.