The three-match ODI series between India and Australia, which begins on Friday at PCA Stadium, acts as a balancing act for the two teams as they make crucial preparations and adjust their game plans ahead of the Men’s ODI World Cup, which begins in the nation on October 5.
As the team’s captain, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, and Hardik Pandya are resting for the first two games, it provides the team’s think tank an opportunity to evaluate the other players who are certain to play, will sit on the bench, or in some cases, may be added at the last minute.
India enters the series having won the Asia Cup, a competition that provided them with many advantages in terms of player form and team cohesion. They will, however, be interested to watch how some players fare in a few specific areas.
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The focus of observers will be on who of the off-spin combo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar will be the better option as a replacement if the left-arm spin all-rounder is unable to participate in the mega event due to a left quadriceps strain.
Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav have a chance to have some time in the middle and score huge runs throughout the series against Australia. Iyer was unable to play after the league stage of the Asia Cup due to back spasms.
Suryakumar, on the other hand, played just once in the tournament and scored 26 runs off of 34 deliveries in Bangladesh’s close six-run loss. Ishan Kishan will likely start Shubman Gill in Rohit’s place, with Mohammed Shami having a remote possibility to play if the squad decides to rest Mohammed Siraj.
Australia, on the other side, enters the series after losing to South Africa 3-2. Aside from an expanding injury list, that series loss highlighted a few areas of concern for the powerful team.
The good news for them is that captain Pat Cummins and Steven Smith are healthy enough to play on Friday. However, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell won’t be available for the opening game, giving Matt Short or Tanveer Sangha a chance to enter the lineup.
Additionally, Ashton Agar, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, and Sean Abbott are coping with minor aches and pains. Travis Head’s fractured left hand puts him at risk of missing the World Cup, allowing Tim David and Marnus Labuschagne additional opportunity to establish their 50-over credentials as backup players.
Australia is made stronger by the return of Cummins and Smith. They view this ODI series as the ideal way to be ready for the World Cup, when India will be their first opponent. On a flat Mohali surface, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis will be looking to regain their ODI best after being routinely taken for runs in South Africa.
Squads
India: KL Rahul (captain & wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner and Adam Zampa.
