Tri-series, 5th ODI: In Rohit's absence, India need Kohli, Rahane to fire

New Delhi: India will play against Australia in the fifth ODI of the tri-series on Monday at SCG, which a crucial match for MS Dhoni & Co.

India lost both their opening matches of the series to Australia and England, and another loss means they would be virtually out of the tournament.

On the match eve, Dhoni informed that Indian opener Rohit Sharma would not play against the home side, as the in-form right-hander is still nursing his hamstring injury.

In their opening match of the tri-series against Australia, the centurion suffered a sore hamstring and could not recover from it yet. It's a big blow for Team India, especially at a time when other main batsmen in the team are not scoring.

Virat Kohli and Ajikya Rahane, who have had a good Test series against Australia, haven't done anything noteworthy in the first two ODIs. If Kohli scored nine and four in the last those matches, then Rahane got out after scoring 12 and 33 respectively.

And as the result, India struggled to put up a big total in both the matches. In fact, in the second match against England, Team India got out at a paltry total of 153 and lost the lop-sided affair by nine wickets.

India need Kohli and Rahane to fire up the order, otherwise it would be difficult for India to beat the in-form Australia, who have already booked a birth in the final.

After a poor run in the first two ODIs, big innings is due from both the batsmen. So, one can expect a match-winning knock from either of them tomorrow.