IND vs AUS Live Score: ICC ODI World Cup 2023 has already kickstarted with a bang but the real fun will now begin as India is all set to face Australia in Match 5 of the tournament. Anything can happen in this tournament & New Zealand has proved it by winning their first fixture against the mighty England team. Now the turn is of India, Men in Blue will aim to make an early impact by outclassing Australians in the opening clash of the tournament.
They have a major positive of being the hosts of the tournament. Their morale is further boosted with a 2-1 series win over Australia on their home ground. However, it’s noteworthy that Australia wasn’t a full-strength squad when they faced India in the home ODI series. Five-time champions are always at their best in World Cups & will come hard at the hosts. For fans, an action-packed contest is on the cards when India faces Australia in the Match 5 of the tournament.
IND vs AUS: Teams Preview
India Preview
India, often hailed as one of the cricketing powerhouses, boasts an impressive history in the ODI World Cup. With championship wins in 1983 and 2011 and a runner-up finish in 2003, they have consistently been among the top contenders. Since their unexpected exit in the 2007 edition, India has entered each World Cup tournament with high expectations.
Heading into the 2023 World Cup, India carries strong momentum, having secured victories in both the Asia Cup and the bilateral series against Australia. While their overall balance is commendable, there are two notable areas of concern. Firstly, their batting lineup predominantly features right-handed players, potentially making them vulnerable against certain bowlers. Secondly, their tail-end batting is extended, necessitating the inclusion of a less potent bowler at the No. 8 position.
At the heart of India’s batting prowess are the formidable top-order trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill. Their ability to handle high-pressure situations will be pivotal, and they will receive invaluable support from accomplished right-handers such as KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Shreyas Iyer.
Shubman Gill, in particular, is a player to watch. In 2023, he has been in exceptional form in ODI cricket, amassing 1230 runs in 20 matches at an impressive average of 72.35 and a strike rate of 105.03. His five centuries, including a career-best 208 against New Zealand, make him a potential game-changer.
India’s bowling lineup features three formidable fast bowlers. The return of Jasprit Bumrah adds a lethal edge to their attack. Combined with Mohammed Siraj’s ability to extract seam and swing early on and a resurgent Kuldeep Yadav, they pose a formidable challenge to Australia’s batters. Additionally, Hardik Pandya contributes valuable overs in every game.
India Predicted Playing XI:
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
Australia Preview
Australia, with a rich history in the ODI World Cup, boasts an impressive record of five championships, including consecutive wins in 1999, 2003, and 2007. However, their recent performances have been marked by inconsistency, leading to questions about their form.
Australia’s top-order batting looks solid, but concerns persist regarding the lower order and their death bowling capabilities. Flexibility is a key aspect of their strategy, and they prefer not to adhere to a fixed game plan or starting lineup. This is reflected in the inclusion of all-rounders like Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh, and Glenn Maxwell, who can contribute with both bat and ball.
Australia’s batting form has been exceptional, especially with the rise of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh. However, Head’s ongoing injury is a cause for concern, as his absence could be felt during the tournament. Nonetheless, their batting lineup remains formidable, with Marsh and David Warner at the top, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the middle, and Maxwell, Alex Carey, Green, and the lower-order batsmen adding depth.
In the bowling department, the left-arm speedster Mitchell Starc is a key asset. His ability to exploit the initial overs when the white ball swings and take vital wickets during the middle and death overs makes him invaluable. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are expected to trouble Indian batters when the ball is new, but they might face challenges as it softens. Adam Zampa has been a standout bowler for Australia since the last World Cup, but his performances can be inconsistent, necessitating support from other spinners, possibly Maxwell.
Australia Predicted Playing XI:
- Mitchell Marsh
- David Warner
- Steve Smith
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Glenn Maxwell
- Cameron Green
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Pat Cummins (c)
- Mitchell Starc
- Adam Zampa
- Josh Hazlewood
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The stage for this crucial encounter is the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. The pitch at Chepauk traditionally features predominantly black soil, preferred by the Indian team for their tournament opener. It is expected to be conducive to batting early in the game, with spinners coming into play as the match progresses. Seamers will find assistance from the wicket in the initial overs, especially if they can vary their pace on a surface that tends to slow down as the game progresses.
Chennai’s weather during the match is expected to be hot, humid, and slightly hazy, creating challenging conditions for both teams.
Venue Details
Historically, the average score batting first at Chepauk is 233. However, in the last five ODIs played at the venue, the average first innings total stands at 283, indicating the likelihood of a high-scoring contest. The highest team total at Chepauk is 337/7 by ACC Asian XI in 2007. Therefore, the team batting first should aim to set a target of around 290-300 runs.
Toss: To Bat
In 14 out of the 23 ODIs played at Chepauk, the side batting first emerged victorious. Given the hot and humid conditions, the team winning the toss is likely to opt to bat first and set a substantial total.
IND vs AUS Match Prediction
The upcoming clash between India and Australia promises to be an intense battle between two cricketing giants. While Australia has a commendable record against India in recent ODIs, the home advantage may tilt the scales in India’s favor. The Indian team is in good form and has momentum on its side, making them a formidable opponent. Australia, with its batting prowess, can be unstoppable on its day, but the Indian spinners may pose challenges for them on this surface.
On paper, India appears to have a more balanced team overall, while Australia’s bowling lacks a certain X-factor. This match is expected to be closely contested, but the home side is likely to emerge victorious.
Prediction: Team India to secure victory in this match!
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