IND vs AUS, 1st ODI: Preview, Pitch Report, Live Score, Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Australia team in warmup [AP Photos]
The Test series is done and dusted, and now it's time for the ODI series to commence between two champion teams. Yes, I am talking about India and Australia.
A rivalry that goes beyond the traditional norms, both India and Australia will battle for supremacy in the upcoming ODI series. For starters, India start as the heavy favourites to clinch the contest, but Aussies are tough customers, and when they came to India in 2019, the Kangaroos came back from 2-0 down to seal the series 3-2.
Team Preview
India
India will be riding high on confidence after a convincing win in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Moreover, their last two ODI series at home has resulted in comprehensive victories over Sri Lanka and New Zealand. At home, India is a tough customer to beat and Australia will find it tough to cope up with the prospect of that.
Skipper Rohit Sharma will miss the first ODI due to family reasons, and Hardik Pandya will lead the side in his absence. The Men in Blue have also suffered an injury blow, with Shreyas Iyer ruled out due to a back injury.
Most likely Ishan Kishan will open alongside Shubman Gill, and Iyer's absence means, SKY gets yet another chance to showcase his skills in the 50-over format.
The bowling looks a bit thin in the absence of Bumrah, but there is a certain Mohammed Siraj to spearhead the Indian pace attack.
Australia
Australia have plenty to ponder upon. Their regular skipper, Pat Cummins will stay back in Australia due to the unfortunate death of his mother. That means, Steve Smith, who captained the visitors in the last two Tests, returns to marshal them in the ODIs as well.
Glenn Maxwell is back after a horrific leg injury and with a fit Cameron Green in the scheme of things, the selection dilemma gets spicier for the Aussies.
The successful pair of David Warner and Travis Head will open for the Aussies, and their deep batting lineup can cause trouble to the Indian bowling lineup.
Match Details
Date and Time: March 17, 1:30 PM IST
Venue: Wankhede, Mumbai
Live Streaming/Telecast: Star Sports and Disney + Hotstar
Pitch Report
Wankhede is known as a batting paradise. Remember South Africa once scored in excess of 400 on the same ground. The ball comes onto the bat nicely and it is a high-scoring ground. Expect a run-fest when the two teams collide at this ground. Pacers will enjoy bowling in the initial few overs, but they need to vary their lengths on this track.
Probable XI
IND: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wk), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal
AUS: Travis Head, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, Mitch Starc, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Keeper: Alex Carey
Batters: Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Travis Head
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Cameron Green
Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Adam Zampa
Captain: Shubman Gill
Vice-captain: Travis Head
Predicton
India start as the favourites and should win the first game. They have a settled squad and despite the absence of Rohit Sharma, India have a formidable side to cope up against the Aussies.
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
