All eyes will be turning towards the subcontinent as Pat Cummins and Co. gear up for a significant and challenging tour of India. The tour spans nearly four months, commencing with a high-stakes three-match ODI series against the formidable Indian cricket team, set to kick off tomorrow. Pat Cummins hasn’t played an ODI match since 2022 November as the skipper would lead the side
The cricketing excitement escalates with the impending World Cup, a marquee event where top cricketing nations vie for glory. Post the World Cup, the action continues with a riveting five-match T20I series scheduled for November to December.
VENUE FOR THE 1ST ODI
PCA IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali is the venue for the 1st ODI. In the past five matches at this venue, the team that bowled first won four times.
This is mainly because the pitch is favorable to batting, especially during the second innings of ODIs, making it easier to chase runs. Additionally, the fast outfield provides an advantage to batsmen.
Average 1st Innings Score – 265
Average 2nd Innings Score – 228
TEAM PREVIEW
AUSTRALIA
Pat Cummins and Co. enter this tour after a setback, having experienced an ODI series loss against South Africa. This defeat highlighted concerns about injuries within the team, particularly affecting their star batsman Travis Head, who sustained a hand fracture during the South Africa series, casting doubt on his participation in the marquee World Cup event.
The reliable Mitchell Starc is also grappling with a groin injury, adding to the team’s injury woes. However, adversity often opens doors for others, and Marnus Labuschagne sees this as an opportunity to establish his position in the World Cup squad.
The Australian team receives a boost as key senior players, including Captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, and Glenn Maxwell, who missed the South Africa series, have rejoined the squad for the ODI series against India.
With a batting order already formidable with the likes of Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, and Marnus Labuschagne, the addition of these experienced players elevates the team’s offensive capabilities.
In the bowling department, Pat Cummins spearheads the attack, supported by a talented ensemble including Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, and Spencer Johnson.
SQUAD OF AUSTRALIA vs INDIA FOR ODI SERIES:
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
EXPECTED XI OF AUSTRALIA vs INDIA FOR 1ST ODI:
David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazlewood
INDIA
On the other hand, India heads into this series brimming with confidence following their recent triumph in the Asia Cup 2023 held in Sri Lanka. Their team selection for this series has intrigued and surprised many in the cricketing community.
The Indian team management has opted to rest senior players, including the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, and Hardik Pandya for the first two ODIs against Australia. This strategic move aims to ensure their key players are well-rested and in optimal condition for the forthcoming battles.
The spotlight shines brightly on Ravichandran Ashwin, a seasoned performer, who has been included in the ODI series as a replacement for the injured Axar Patel. Ashwin’s performance in this series could potentially earn him a spot in the World Cup squad, especially if Axar is unable to recover in time.
KL Rahul takes the captaincy reins for the first two ODIs, with Ravindra Jadeja as his vice-captain. The batting responsibilities fall on the shoulders of promising talents like Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Shreyas Iyer, and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
In the bowling department, the Indian team boasts a formidable lineup, featuring seasoned campaigners like Jadeja, Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, and Prasidh Krishna. All eyes are on Mohammed Siraj, buoyed by a historic performance in the Asia Cup Final, as he steps onto the field with immense confidence.
INDIAN SQUAD FOR 1st & 2nd ODIs:
KL Rahul (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
INDIAN SQUAD FOR 3rd ODI:
Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel (subject to fitness), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
EXPECTED XI OF INDIA vs AUSTRALIA FOR 1ST ODI:
Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Verma, KL Rahul (c) (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
PREDICTION FOR THE SERIES
India will be high on confidence after winning the Asia Cup and will look to continue their winning momentum.
Whilst Pat Cummins and Co. have lost the series against South Africa but the return of their senior players in the side will boost their confidence. This is going to be a thriller of a series. We predict that India will just edge past Pat Cummins’ Team in the series. The peculiarity of Pat Cummins is that he can also bowl in the middle overs phase and break crucial partnernships.
Series Scoreline prediction: India 2-1 Australia
India vs Australia ODI Series Dates Timing and Telecast Info
Match Dates:
1st ODI Friday, September 22 at Mohali
2nd ODI Sunday, September 24 at Indore
3rd ODI Wednesday, September 27 at Rajkot
Match Start Time: 1:30 PM IST
TV Channels: Sports TV 18, Sports TV 18 HD, Colors Cineplex Superhits
Live Streaming: JioCinema