World ODI Cup 2023 

Match 5: IND vs AUS

Preview 

The World ODI Cup 2023 has kicked off, and the cricketing world witnessed an impressive start as New Zealand sent a strong message by thrashing defending champions England by 9 wickets in a one-sided affair. Now, all eyes are on the tournament hosts, India, who are set to play their first match against Australia on October 5 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. India recently defeated Australia 2-1 at home, but it's important to note that the Aussies weren't at full strength during that series. Nonetheless, Australia has a rich history in World Cup cricket, always rising to the occasion, and this clash promises to be a thrilling contest with no clear favourites.

India, the second-best team in World Cup history after Australia, boasts an impressive track record. They secured World Cup championships in 1983 and 2011, were runners-up in 2003, and made it to the semi-finals in 1987, 1996, 2015, and 2019. Since their unexpected exit in the 2007 edition, India has consistently been a top contender in each tournament.

Heading into the 2023 World Cup, India arrives with strong momentum, having won both the Asia Cup and the bilateral series against Australia. However, there are a couple of areas of concern. Firstly, their batting lineup is predominantly right-handed, potentially making them vulnerable against certain bowlers. Secondly, their tail-end batting is somewhat extended, often necessitating the inclusion of a less potent bowler at the No. 8 position to provide flexibility to the top seven.

India's top-order, featuring the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill, exudes class and stability, especially in high-pressure situations. Their collective responsibility will be pivotal during critical moments, and they will receive support from accomplished right-handers such as KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Shreyas Iyer.

Shubman Gill, in particular, is a player to watch. He has been in outstanding form in ODI cricket in 2023, amassing 1230 runs in 20 matches at an average of 72.35 and a strike rate of 105.03, including 5 centuries and 5 fifties, including a career-best 208 against New Zealand. However, he will miss a few opening games of the tournament due to dengue.   

India's bowling attack features three formidable fast bowlers. The return of Jasprit Bumrah, now fully fit, adds a lethal edge. Mohammed Siraj's ability to extract seam and swing early on, coupled with a resurgent Kuldeep Yadav, makes India a potent bowling unit. Furthermore, Hardik Pandya provides valuable overs.

Australia, with a remarkable five-time World Cup championship record, has a storied history in ODI cricket. However, recent performances have been marked by inconsistency. While their top-order batting appears solid, concerns persist about their lower-order performance and death bowling capabilities.

Australia's team emphasises flexibility, avoiding a fixed game plan or starting lineup. This flexibility is evident in the inclusion of all-rounders like Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh, and Glenn Maxwell, who can contribute with both bat and ball.

Australia's batting has been exceptional recently, with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh's emergence. However, Head's ongoing injury is a cause for concern, as his absence would be felt. Nevertheless, their batting lineup remains formidable, with David Warner and Mitchell Marsh at the top, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the middle, and Maxwell, Alex Carey, Green, and the lower-order batsmen providing finishing touches.

On the bowling front, Mitchell Starc, a left-arm speedster, stands out. He has an exceptional World Cup track record, being the leading wicket-taker in 2019 and sharing that honor with Trent Boult in 2015. Australia's recent struggle to make early breakthroughs has exposed them in later stages, making Starc's ability to swing the new ball crucial. Additionally, his knack for taking key wickets in the middle and performing in the death overs bolsters Australia's chances.

Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are likely to trouble Indian batters with the new ball, but they might be challenged when the ball becomes older. Adam Zampa has been Australia's standout bowler since the last World Cup, although his consistency can be a factor, and on off days, Australia may turn to Maxwell as an additional spin option.

Match Details

Match: IND vs AUS, 5th Match, World ODI Cup 2023

Date: Sunday, October 08, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM

Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Pitch and Weather Report 

The pitch at Chepauk for Sunday's World Cup match between India and Australia has taken on a brownish hue, as the ground crew has diligently removed the grass. It is highly likely that the playing surface will predominantly showcase black soil, which aligns with the Indian team's preference for their tournament opener. Consequently, this may lead the home team to contemplate fielding three spinners. Initially, the pitch should provide favourable conditions for batting, but as the game progresses, spin bowlers are expected to become increasingly influential. In the early overs, seamers may find some assistance from the wicket, particularly if they can master the art of varying their pace when the ball behaves unpredictably on the surface, posing a challenge for the batsmen.

Furthermore, it's worth noting that the weather in Chennai during the game is expected to be hot, humid, and slightly hazy.

IND vs AUS Squads

IND: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav 

AUS: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc

IND vs AUS Probable Playing XIs

IND: Rohit Sharma ©, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah

AUS: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Alex Carey/Josh Inglis, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins ©

Match Prediction

In their last five One Day International (ODI) encounters, India has managed to defeat Australia only twice. Furthermore, their record against Australia in the World ODI Cuphas been quite poor, with just four wins out of 12 matches and a win percentage of 33.33%. However, as the home team, India is expected to have the advantage in this upcoming match. The Indian team, often referred to as the Men in Blue, has been in good form and has built significant momentum over the past few weeks.

Australia, on the other hand, should never be underestimated. They are a champion side and have the potential to defeat any team on any given day. If Australia's batsmen perform as they did in the recent ODI in Rajkot against India, they could prove to be unstoppable. However, facing India's spinners on this particular surface will not be easy for the Australian batsmen.

When looking at the team compositions on paper, India appears to be more well-rounded overall, while Australia's bowling seems to lack that special X-factor. This match is expected to be closely contested, but the advantage likely lies with the home side.

We back the men in blue to emerge victorious in this game. 

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