(Image Source: BCCI)
[Saba Sports News] The anticipation is building for the 2023 World Cup as the top-ranked ODI team, India, faces off against the five-time champions, Australia. Both teams come into the fixture after gentle sparring in a three-match series with somewhat unrepresentative teams.
The match is expected to be closely contested, with minor disturbances to their overall plans on both sides. The weather in Chennai is expected to be warm, with a slight chance of drizzle.
For India, the potential void at the top of the order caused by Shubman Gill’s illness is expected to be filled by Ishan Kishan. Local boy Ravichandran Ashwin is likely to take up the No.8 spot, giving India a 3+3 attack combination with Hardik Pandya operating as the third seamer.
Australia has a toss-up for the third all-rounder’s slot between Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis. Adam Zampa, who has a positive head-to-head against several Indian batters, is expected to play a crucial role with the ball.
Both teams have interesting statistics and facts in their favor, making the match a must-watch for cricket fans. Virat Kohli is the only Indian batter in the current squad to have scored an ODI hundred at Chepauk. Australia has taken just 4 PowerPlay wickets in the last 8 ODIs and not more than 1 in any of those games. Kuldeep Yadav has taken 39 wickets at an average of 20.03 in the middle-overs (11-40) since 2022.
The captains, Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins, are looking forward to the challenge, with Rohit describing the opportunity to lead India in a World Cup as a dream come true.
When: India vs. Australia, October 8, 2023, 14:00 IST Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai What to expect: A warm afternoon leading into a sultry evening with a slight chance of drizzle. Spinners are expected to come into play on the black soil pitch, making batting first a worthy option.
Probable XI: India: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Australia: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green/Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Did you know?
Virat Kohli is the only Indian batter in the current squad to have scored an ODI hundred at Chepauk.
Australia has taken just 4 PowerPlay wickets in the last 8 ODIs and not more than 1 in any of those games.
Kuldeep Yadav has taken 39 wickets at an average of 20.03 in the middle-overs (11-40) since 2022.
Quotes:
“I’ve said it many times that it was always a dream to be part of the World Cup team. And then now to be part of the team and then the captain, I don’t know how to describe that because it’s a big deal for me.” – Rohit Sharma on what it feels like to lead India in an ODI World Cup.
“I’ve probably played more white-ball cricket in India than I have in Australia over the last 10 years, so it’s conditions we know really well. And I think the positive thing is that we’ve played some really good one-day cricket against India over here over the last few years so we can draw back on that and that can be front of mind.” – Australia will not be in alien conditions reckons Pat Cummins.