India have got their two biggest games of the Group phase out of the way first-up. And by winning them both with handsome margins, they have perched themselves at the top of the Pool B table quite comfortably.
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While they would obviously want to keep the winning momentum going, the game against UAE will give MS Dhoni a bit of a breather as well as an opportunity to give game-time to some of his reserve players.
India will have to believe that any combination from their squad of 15 is capable of taking the team home against UAE. The pace trio of Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami and Mohit Sharma has been impressive in the first two games.
With Shami unavailable for the UAE game due to a mild left knee problem, Bhuvneshwar Kumar could get a chance to settle into his rhythm after an injury lapse. This match will enable Bhuvi to get rid of the post-injury rustiness before the big games arrive.
Dhoni had stressed time and again during the ODI tri-series the importance of giving Axar Patel more games to let him settle into the role of No. 7. Given that Ravindra Jadeja has failed with the bat (his scores in the first two games were 3 and 2) and been average with the ball (1-56 and 1-37), there is no harm in seeing if Axar provides a better alternative.
The relative more pace and bounce on the WACA wicket could also prompt the inclusion of Stuart Binny over a spin all-rounder.
Squads: India: MS Dhoni (c), Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Stuart Binny, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami and Mohit Sharma.
UAE: Mohammad Tauqir (c), Amjad Ali, Anjad Javed, Andri Berenger, Fahad Alhashmi, Manjula Guruge, Kamran Shahzad, Khurram Khan, Krishna Chandran, Mohammad Naveed, Nasir Aziz, Swapnil Patil (wk), Rohan Mustafa, Saqlain Haider and Shaiman Anwar.
