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| Let the games begin Pic Courtesy: News18 |
Format: ODI
Venue: MA Chidabaram Stadium, Chennai
Date: 17th September, 2017- Sunday
Time: 1:30 PM IST
Live coverage: Star Sports Network
One of the most competitive bilateral series in cricket begins at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on Sunday as Australia takes on the hosts India.
Both teams have different preparations and results going into this series. India, on one hand, have whitwashed Sri Lanka at their own den across three formats with a ruthless work-ethic. In a series India went as favourites, they ended up as the ruthless favourites. Australia,on the other hand, will be carrying with the momentum of a victory in Bangladesh in second test, in a series where they had lost the first. Australia, however, would fancy their chances in the shorter format where they would believe they have better chance to trip Indian side at home.
INDIA
Openers
India received a major blow when in-form Shikhar Dhawan had to pull out of first three ODIs to tend to his ill wife. With Dhawan not in original 16-man squad, the selectors decided against naming a replacement because of backup opening options in Rahane and KL Rahul. In most likeliest of situations, Rahane would open with the regular opener Rohit Sharma.
Middle order
The last ODI series against Sri Lanka gave Manish Pandey to have an advantage for the debatable no4 position. He should be the first-choice for that slot, with Dhoni at 6. In that case, KL Rahul might be competing with Jadhav for the no 5 slot, where Jadhav has a slight advantage due to his useful golden arm. But this tournament will give these three- Jadhav, Pandey and Rahul to stake claim and cement their positions in the Indian middle order, with the 2019 WC in sight. With Umesh, Shami,
Bowling
India named Umesh, Shami in the squad in place of Thakur, which would make life difficult for Kohli to pick his 2 pacers out of Umesh, Shami, Bhuvi and Bumrah. Although Bumrah looks the definite choice with good show in the last one year consistently. The spinners' slots will again be a three-way competition among Axar, Kuldeep and Chahal where Kuldeep looks the most certain of them all to feature in the eleven.
Update: Axar has been replaced by Jadeja in squad.
INDIA Possible XI:
1. Ajinkya Rahane
2. Rohit Sharma (vc)
3. Virat Kohli
4. Manish Pandey
5. Kedhar Jadhav
6. MS Dhoni( wk)
7. Hardik Pandya
8. R Jadeja
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Umesh Yadav
11. Jasprit Bumrah
AUSTRALIA
Openers
Like India, Australia faces a last-minute problem in opening options, as Aaron Finch had to leave for Australia due to a calf injury. The vacancy for Warner's partner is a toss-up between Hilton Cartwright, who might be used a temporary stop-gap option like he was used in the warm up game but didn't trouble the scorers then. Other option is the middle order bat Travis Head, who is familiar with this role.
Middle Order
Steve Smith would be happy to find Peter Handscomb as a replacement option, who could even play in starting XI despite not being in original eleven- to make the middle order more stablet. The return of James Faulkner against his favourite opposition is a welcome boost for the visitors. In limelight will be Matthew Wade- who is increasingly being questioned over his performance in the team and especially with WC 2019 in sight, he has an excellent opportunity to tighten grip on the first choice wk's slot.
Bowling
No Mitchell Starc. No Jash Hazlewood. Australian media might be trying to downplay this loss but this absence of two lead pace bowlers might make all the difference. But the danger is not averted yet for India, as there is a gentlemen called Pat Cummins, equally dangerous and quick on his day. Partnering him will be Nathan Coulter Nile. Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar will be the two spinners, to go along with Maxwell and Head's part timers.
AUS Possible XI:
1. David Warner
2. Hilton Cartwright
3. Steve Smith (c)
4. Travis Head
5. Glenn Maxwell
6. James Faulkner
7. Matthew Wade(wk)
8. Ashton Agar
9. Nathan Coulter Nile
10. Pat Cummins
11. Adam Zampa
Keep following On A Good Length for India-Australia coverage. Have a great time watching quality cricket.
INDIA Possible XI:
1. Ajinkya Rahane
2. Rohit Sharma (vc)
3. Virat Kohli
4. Manish Pandey
5. Kedhar Jadhav
6. MS Dhoni( wk)
7. Hardik Pandya
8. R Jadeja
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Umesh Yadav
11. Jasprit Bumrah
AUSTRALIA
Openers
Like India, Australia faces a last-minute problem in opening options, as Aaron Finch had to leave for Australia due to a calf injury. The vacancy for Warner's partner is a toss-up between Hilton Cartwright, who might be used a temporary stop-gap option like he was used in the warm up game but didn't trouble the scorers then. Other option is the middle order bat Travis Head, who is familiar with this role.
Middle Order
Steve Smith would be happy to find Peter Handscomb as a replacement option, who could even play in starting XI despite not being in original eleven- to make the middle order more stablet. The return of James Faulkner against his favourite opposition is a welcome boost for the visitors. In limelight will be Matthew Wade- who is increasingly being questioned over his performance in the team and especially with WC 2019 in sight, he has an excellent opportunity to tighten grip on the first choice wk's slot.
Bowling
No Mitchell Starc. No Jash Hazlewood. Australian media might be trying to downplay this loss but this absence of two lead pace bowlers might make all the difference. But the danger is not averted yet for India, as there is a gentlemen called Pat Cummins, equally dangerous and quick on his day. Partnering him will be Nathan Coulter Nile. Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar will be the two spinners, to go along with Maxwell and Head's part timers.
AUS Possible XI:
1. David Warner
2. Hilton Cartwright
3. Steve Smith (c)
4. Travis Head
5. Glenn Maxwell
6. James Faulkner
7. Matthew Wade(wk)
8. Ashton Agar
9. Nathan Coulter Nile
10. Pat Cummins
11. Adam Zampa
