India vs Australia 3rd: Three things to expect from series-decider in Chennai

India will lock horns with Australia in the series-decider of the 3-match series at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday.

Australia bounced back in the series with a thumping 10-wicket win in the second ODI in Vizag. India won the series-opener in Mumbai by six wickets.

A defeat in the third ODI will lead to India's first bilateral series defeat at home since 2019. An Australia win would also witness India losing three of their last five bilateral ODI series.

IND vs AUS: Three things to watch out for in the 3rd ODI

India's top-order in focus

The Indian top-order has collapsed in the first two ODIs. Chasing 189 at Wankhede Stadium, India were four down for 39 before KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in for a century to help hosts cross the line.

In the second ODI too, India lost three wickets in the powerplay. Virat Kohli (31) and Axar Patel (29*) were the only two batters who looked at ease on the Vizag pitch which aided the Australian pacers. A five-wicket haul from Mitchell Starc saw India get bundled out for 117 - their fourth lowest total in a home ODI match.

Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for a golden duck for the second time in a row. Overall, seven India batters got out for single-digit scores. India's top-order collapsing like a house of cards is a major concern in a World Cup year.

The Indian batting unit, especially the top-order will be in focus on Wednesday.

Suryakumar likely to be demoted

In the absence of injured Shreyas Iyer, fellow Mumbai batter Suryakumar Yadav has got opportunities in the playing eleven of both the matches. However, Starc had made sure to make both his outings a one-ball affair by trapping him in front of stumps on each of the two occasions.

Captain Rohit Sharma has made it clear that the right-hander will be given a longer rope in the absence of Iyer, but will India continue to send him at number four? The 32-year-old could be seen getting demoted to number six with either of KL Rahul or Hardik Pandya getting promoted up the order.

Hardik batted for his IPL franchise Gujarat Giants at number four in the IPL 2022. Playing the anchor role to perfection, the all-rounder accumulated handsome 487 runs. KL Rahul could also be an option at number four. If India face another collapse, Rahul has fair experience of facing new balls.

The number six spot will also be an ideal position for Suryakumar who had made a name for himself by going berserk with less balls remaining. The same might also help him to resurrect his ODI career which has seen him score 433 runs in 22 matches at an average of 25.47.

David Warner likely to not feature in third ODI

The star opener did not feature in the first ODI as he wasn't declared full fit from his elbow injury. The 36-year-old did not feature in the second ODI as well. In his absence Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh have taken the onus of forming the opening pair for Australia.

Head scored 5 runs in the first match but bounced back with an unbeaten 51 off 30 in the second. Marsh has been excellent, scoring 81 off 65 in his first outing and following it up with unbeaten 66 off 36 in the second.

Even if Warner is fit, Australia might not be comfortable tinkering with the Head-Marsh pair.