The veteran coach also said both teams would have to be tactfully aware of playing at the MCG.
Nicholas Pooran led the charge, dishing out a taste of SRH's own medicine with his ferocious hitting, while Mitchell Marsh provided perfect support.
Rahul, who initially batted at No. 6 in the first two games, didn't look comfortable and fared far better at the familiar No. 5 position with a useful 40 off 29 balls in India's one-sided 142-run victory in the third ODI in Ahmedabad.
'India needs to score big because they will have to defend those totals without Bumrah.'
Thrown into the spotlight in just his second ODI, Varun Chakaravarthy made the opportunity count in spectacular fashion.
The team has won 10 out of their 24 matches while losing 14.
Shubman Gill, who has been India's stand out batter in the tournament, was the only one who did not turn up for practice.
In India's last ODI series against Sri Lanka, Rahul kept wickets in the first two matches, scoring 31 and 0, while Pant played the third game but managed only 6 runs. India could opt to include both players in the XI, but that would likely come at the expense of Iyer.
The barren run of skipper Rohit Sharma and the selection conundrum that Virat Kohli's possible return poses are the towering obstacles in India's quest for a series win against England in the second ODI in Cuttack on Sunday.
Shami, who had reached Brisbane after recovering from COVID-19 was named as replacement for an injured Jasprit Bumrah in the squad of 15. He was out of the team for close to three months.
The series already in their pocket, India will look to address their batting woes against an England team gunning for revenge after feeling hard-done by a debatable concussion substitute when the two teams clash in the fifth and final T20 International in Mumbai on Sunday.
Last year's runner-up Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) suffered a heartbreaking exit from the IPL 2025 play-off race after rain washed out their must-win game against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Hyderabad on Monday.
'It was a test of character, a true pressure situation, and you responded with a phenomenal team performance.'
He also got clobbered along the way but was always in contention for wickets and weaved his magic particularly at the backend of the innings.
India is facing form concerns and selection dilemmas as they enter the final phase of their Champions Trophy preparations.
The tournament was decorated with several impactful players and 12 of them have made it to the ICC Champions Trophy Team of the Tournament.
All eyes will be on Captain Shubman Gill and Coach Gautam Gambhir to lead the Indian Test team into a bold new era.
Mohammed Shami will be needed on a dry Motera surface, which might be conducive for reverse swing.
Shami shocked everyone with a wayward over, giving away 20 runs as he conceded 53 runs in four overs.
"I think he (Shami) will be a major miss for India, given the Australian conditions. The pace and bouncy wickets in Australia would have helped India in gaining an upper hand if Shami had been in the squad but that's not in the selector's hand as he is recovering, but I think he will be missed," Adams said.
Former India all-rounder Suresh Raina feels middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav will be sorely missed in the upcoming Champions Trophy, as he could have provided the 'X-factor' in Dubai, where Rohit Sharma's side will play all its matches.
England secured a 26-run victory over India in the third T20I in Rajkot on Tuesday to stay alive in the five-match series.
'There is always a temptation for the captain and the coach to decide whether to play him or me.'
The BCCI's Centre of Excellence (COE) in India is expected to witness a few changes in staff composition in the coming months following the resignation of Nitin Patel, head of Sports Science and Medical Team, after a successful stint of nearly three years.
Ishan Kishan made a dream start at his new IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad with a match-winning century against Rajasthan Royals.
'The stakes are too high and it would have been a complete embarrassment had Bumrah broken down in a match.'
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the second ODI against England on Sunday?
Kotak highlighted the flexibility of Rahul, who came almost an hour early to the scheduled net session.
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar reckons that ground conditions will dictate which spinners are to be played in the XI.
Will Jacks took 2/14 in three overs before he hit 36 from 26 balls, setting up a comfortable chase, and was rightly adjudged Player of the Match.
Rohit immediately knew the gravity of his mistake. He banged the ground in frustration, visibly furious with himself.
Australian legend Ricky Ponting feels Mohammed Shami's strength lies in the longest format and there are better quick bowlers in India's T20 set up, weighing in on his absence from the Asia Cup squad.
World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev expressed concern over the rising number of injuries among Indian cricketers, attributing it to the demanding schedule.
India's spinners were the key architects of the bowling performance. Varun Chakravarthy (2/45) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) were the standout performers, while Jadeja (1/30) and Axar Patel (0/29 in 8 overs) kept the pressure on with their economical spells.
MI will hope Jasprit Bumrah returns to his menacing best, which is essential for them to stop an explosive Sunrisers Hyderabad batting unit in its tracks.
A dominant India hammered England by 150 runs to claim the five-match series 4-1.
As IPL 2025 enters a crucial phase, both Rohit Sharma and SRH's misfiring stars are running out of time and excuses.
Venkatesh Iyer silenced his critics with a match-winning 60 off 29 balls, propelling Kolkata Knight Riders to a convincing 80-run win against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Images from the second One-Day International between India and New Zealand, at Raipur.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has advised Rohit Sharma to change his position in the batting line-up to regain his touch in Tests
