Ahead of the World Cup 2023, India will take on Australia for the three-match ODI series starting in Mohali on Friday. Both sides will be entering the series with different agendas. India will be looking to test their bench strength while Australia will be looking to get some of their stars into fitness for the showpiece event.
Shreyas Iyer’s dodgy match fitness will be put to ultimate test while Suryakumar Yadav’s desperation to alter a dismal ODI record adds a fascinating sub-text to the series. KL Rahul who has been made the skipper of the side will have his challenge cut out both with the bat as he too has not spent a lot of time in the middle with the bat apart from a blistering ton against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 in Colombo.
Australia on the other hand despite losing 2-3 to South Africa recently had a quality series. Travis Head’s injury gave Marnus Labuschagne a chance which he has taken with both hands but it will be Australia’s bowling attack that will be put to the test on three of the flattest decks that one comes across in the sub-continent.
R. Ashwin to make a comeback
The off-spinner will make a comeback into the side and will play a crucial role with the ball and contribute with the bat if needed. Traditionally Mohali surface has not been conducive for the spinners and there has been a lot of dew in the second innings. Hence it will be a challenge for the veteran how he adapts to the adverse situations he will find in Mohali and a good performance not only in the first ODI but the remainder of the series may change the mind of team management and put up his name for the World Cup.
Shreyas Iyer is back in the mix
This will be an acid test for Iyer. He needs to prove his fitness and also his form. He looked in sublime touch against Pakistan in the group stage in Kandy however, fell to a short ball against the run of play. His vulnerabilities against the bouncer are an open secret. Though he looked good against the Pakistan attack facing them in his brief stay he would be tested at full throttle in all three games against a high-quality Australian pace attack with some chin music.
Marnus Labuschange to cement his spot
Many eyebrows were raised when Marnus was dropped from the World Cup squad. However, the series against South Africa has changed everything. With the injury of Travis Head and Maruns’ brilliant run of form against the Proteas, he becomes a genuine contender to take the spot. However, he has been mediocre against spin in Indian conditions this three-match series will provide him with an opportunity to deliver the goods and show he also is an excellent player of spin.
India predicted XI: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (c, wk), Tilak Varma, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Australia predicted 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
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