Match Details:
The much-anticipated clash between India and Australia is scheduled for Sunday, 8th October at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Match Preview
Despite Australia’s historical upper hand with 83 wins against India’s 56, the recent form of the Indian team levels the playing field. Fresh off their Asia Cup victory in Sri Lanka and a 2-1 home win against Australia, India is ready for the challenge.
Both teams are familiar with the conditions and the opposition, having faced each other in Chennai earlier this year in a closely fought match that Australia won.
The pitch is expected to favour spinners, with India relying on the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Australia, on the other hand, will be banking on Adam Zampa’s leg-spinners, with support from Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.
While India awaits news on Shubman Gill’s fitness, Australia is keeping an eye on all-rounder Marcus Stoinis.
Team Lineups
India:
The Indian squad includes Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.
Australia:
The Australian team comprises Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
Players to Watch Out For
India: Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah, despite a year-long injury, returns as the spearhead of India’s pace attack. A strong performance in Chennai could set the tone for the rest of the tournament. With 129 ODI wickets under his belt, India will be hoping for a performance reminiscent of veteran pacer Zaheer Khan’s during their successful 2011 campaign.
Australia: Adam Zampa
With Ashton Agar replaced by Labuschagne, Adam Zampa emerges as Australia’s primary spinner. Despite conceding over five and a half runs per over, Zampa’s strike-rate of 31.5 and 34 ODI wickets against India make him a formidable opponent. His best performance against India was in Chennai earlier this year, where he claimed 4/45, helping Australia clinch the ODI series 2-1 in March. Australia will be hoping for a repeat performance in the upcoming match.