On paper, this is an excellent opportunity. In two weeks, the World Cup will be contested in the same conditions as India vs. Australia. Both teams are well-rounded, appear to have an additional gear for large tournaments, and motivate each other like few other teams. This opportunity to play each other prior to the World Cup confrontation in Chennai is therefore priceless, but the series feels superfluous in an already congested international schedule.
In his pre-series press conference, Pat Cummins stated that he did not want to “already be cooked” for the World Cup. And that’s what India’s signaling has been as well; the hosts have decided to take a breather after a rainy and arduous Asia Cup campaign and will be without a number of first-choice players for the first two ODIs. Regular captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been excused along with Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav because India “doesn’t want to expose them too much” prior to the World Cup, according to captain Rohit Sharma. Therefore, the onus will be on Australia to extract as much as possible from this series.
Even without their complete World Cup roster, India appears formidable and have a few issues to answer. Can KL Rahul eventually get on a path with his recent success? Can Suryakumar Yadav succeed in ODIs, particularly with Tilak Verma breathing down his neck? Can India’s second spinner, Ravindra Jadeja, find a means to return to taking wickets? And could Ravichandran Ashwin be the savior again if India’s condition-specific bowling all-rounder Axar Patel fails to arrive on time? Shreyas Iyer, who missed the majority of the Asia Cup due to a back spasm, will likely demonstrate his form and endurance in the three ODIs that follow.
Australia, on the other hand, will be salivating at the prospect of playing India in India before the World Cup; there may be no greater preparation. They will be reinforced by the return of Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Glenn Maxwell, whose experience they lacked in their 3-2 series defeat to South Africa, in which they led 2-0.
This series will also explore life without Travis Head, whose fractured left hand has rendered him an improbable World Cup contender. His absence, however, would result in Mitchell Marsh opening the innings, a position he vacated (as stand-in captain) for David Warner’s return. However, as fate would have it, he will partner Warner at the top of the order on Friday and in the World Cup.
It is fitting that the first elimination round takes place in Mohali, the site of numerous nail-biters between the teams. Having lost out on hosting the World Cup, the venue will anticipate this match with extra sincerity and passion. India versus Australia matches rarely disappoint, and never in Mohali.
When
India vs Australia, 1st ODI on Friday, 22 September 2023, 1:30 PM local
Where
Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali
What to Expect
Numerous trips. Mohali has not hosted an ODI in over four years, but you can expect a flat pitch for more frequent T20 matches. The extended square boundaries ought to reintroduce a tactical element to the cricket being played. In the last five One-Day Internationals played at this venue, pacers (43) have taken more wickets than spinners (22) but have been less economical. The forecast calls for mild temperatures and clear skies.
Team News
India
Numerous trips. Mohali has not hosted an ODI in over four years, but you can expect a flat pitch for more frequent T20 matches. The extended square boundaries ought to reintroduce a tactical element to the cricket being played. In the last five One-Day Internationals played at this venue, pacers (43) have taken more wickets than spinners (22) but have been less economical. The forecast calls for mild temperatures and clear skies.
Probable XI: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (c, wk), Tilak Varma/Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Australia
Marnus Labuschagne, who was omitted from the World Cup squad, is back in the scheme of things due to a well-placed barrier. Glenn Maxwell, who missed the ODI series against South Africa due to an ankle injury, will be spared in Mohali in order to provide him with a “more managed preparation” for the World Cup. Mitchell Starc will not play in the opening ODI, according to Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins. Adam Zampa’s performance in India has been a mixed affair.
Probable XI: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
Did you know?
- Australia has triumphed in six of the seven ODIs contested in Mohali.
- In his last four One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Jadeja has scored a total of 43 runs. In 28 innings against Australia, Jadeja has accumulated 515 runs at an average of 24 and a strike rate of 74.
- Pat Cummins has not played a One-Day International since November 2022.
- In 29 one-day international overs bowled at Mohali, Ashwin has taken only two wickets.
- KL Rahul’s average as ODI captain is 19
What they said?
“At the moment, he’s fit. That’s why we picked him in the squad. We are hopeful that he gets through all these three games” – Ajit Agarkar, India chief selector, on Shreyas Iyer
“We want to strike the balance between getting used to these conditions, hopefully winning some games, but we also don’t want to get to that first game [of World Cup] and already be cooked” – Pat Cummins, Australia captain
