Matthew Kuhnemann in the 1st ODI: How Zampa's replacement can trouble India in Australia

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Matthew Kuhnemann [Source: @shui000_oo/X.com]

Matthew Kuhnemann has been included in Australia's squad for the ODI series against India. The 29-year-old got a call-up for the first ODI on October 19, replacing Adam Zampa, who will miss the first match due to family reasons. While Kuhnemann has limited experience in international games, he has been a strike weapon behind some of Australia's key wins.

With Kuhnemann added to the squad and up and ready for his 1st ODI game against India, there are certain things that might lead up to him being the Men in Blue's nightmare. In the 2023 Test match series against India, Kuhnemann worked wonders in the March 1 Test, scalping a fifer from just 9 overs with Nathan Lyon. It led to a massive collapse of India's batting lineup, handing Australia a 9-wicket win.

Ahead of the first ODI in just a few days, here are some key reasons why Kuhnemann will be a nightmare for Shubman Gill & Co. in the ODI series.

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1) Kuhnemann's left-arm spin can trouble Kohli, Rohit

While Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma boast a pretty decent record against left-arm spinners, their recent ODI stats in 2025 have not been impressive. Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel might also struggle.

(Table - Indian batters in ODIs in 2025 against left-arm spinners)

Inference: From the above table, it can be understood that left-arm spinners have been a recurring reason for worry for even India's premier batters this year. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be forming the foundation at the top, besides Shubman Gill and probably Shreyas Iyer at No. 4 or No. 5. 

Though the players have apparently good dismissal success rates, their just at-par averages against left-arm spinners might make them fall into trouble at Australia's home turf.

Bottom Line: With these weaknesses persisting this year, Kuhnemann can very well expose the batting lineup of India if the pitch assists him. 

2) Kuhnemann's recent form

In international cricket, Kuhnemann has been in terrific form with his Test heroics against Sri Lanka back in January-February at Galle. The spinner scalped a total of 16 wickets from 2 matches. In County cricket back in September, Matt managed to scalp 7 wickets from his two innings while playing for Glamorgan.

(Matthew Kuhnemann's recent stats)

While his exploits have all been outside his own country, Kuhnemann's skill to scalp wickets with his variations that drift away from right-handed batters might be of the same lethality on Australian soil, given his good form ahead of the upcoming series.

3) Australia's pitch to assist Kuhnemann

The 1st ODI between Australia and India is set to be played at Perth Stadium, where the hard, fast deck offers excellent carry through the air and off the surface. Here, left-arm spinners benefit from full-flight variations, as the white-sand base ensures deliveries travel true until landing, then bounce sharply. The pace of the wicket magnifies drift, allowing well-disguised googlies to be bowled.

Though it is uncertain whether Matt will be added to the squad for the remaining ODIs, the Adelaide pitch is also hard and flat with extra bounce benefiting spinners like Kuhnemann attacking with slightly flighted deliveries. 

In contrast, the SCG’s slower, abrasive pitch grips the ball and is a heaven for spinners, providing sharp turn even from low release and uneven bounce that benefits spinners to deceive batters at the crease.

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