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Australia vs India 1st ODI Preview: Will India win opening game of tour Down Under?

By Sridhar Bhamidi

26 Nov 2020

Sridhar Bhamidi 26 Nov 2020

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Australia and India get the tour action underway
The 1st ODI takes place at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday
Australia have won 14 of their 16 ODIs at Sydney Cricket Ground against India
Australia have won four of their last five ODIs played at this venue
India have lost their last three bilateral ODIs away from home

India will start their two-month long Australian tour with the ODIs and the first ODI is set to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday. The bio-bubble and the lack of audience adds new dimensions to this match.

Australia Form

Australia are third in the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup Super League points table with 20 points. They also have the advantage of having played in crowd-less conditions in their tour to England earlier this year. A few players in the squad like Steve Smith, David Warner and Aaron Finch have played in the IPL which should keep them match-fit.

Bowling remains Australia’s strongest forte, thanks to the presence of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Adam Zampa is a vital player too, as the pitch is traditionally a spinner’s haven.

Australia Team News

The uncapped all-rounder Cameron Green is in the mix for a debut as Mitchell Marsh is out of the squad due to injury. Australian coach Justin Langer, however, has said Green gets picked up only if he can bowl which makes his selection slightly doubtful. Glenn Maxwell will be itching to keep his IPL worries aside and start on a positive note as his place in the side remains under threat.

India Form

India’s last tryst with ODIs has been to New Zealand in the early parts of 2020. That said, most of the squad members have been playing for their franchises in IPL 2020 and should fancy their chances of getting into the groove.

The team played out an intra-squad 40-over match to get warmed up, but they know the real test is going to be massive. India will have to be on their toes to overcome the strong Aussies in their own backyard.

India Team News

The absence of Rohit Sharma means Shikhar Dhawan will have a new opening partner. It could be Mayank Agarwal or Shubman Gill, although India also have the option of pushing KL Rahul to open. The absence of Hardik Pandya as an all-rounder means they will forced to play five regular bowlers.

Australia vs India Head to Head

Australia have a 36-13 win-loss record against India in 51 ODIs played in Australia so far with two no results. All in all, the record stands 78-52 in favour of Australia in 140 ODIs played.

The last time these sides met was in a three-match series in India that India won 2-1 with two wins in the last two ODIs.

Australia vs India Match Up

Australia will be looking at Steve Smith who averages 66.70 against India at home and has the best average among any batsman to have played at least seven innings. India will be banking their hopes on Virat Kohli in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Australia have a slight advantage in the bowling department and that may tilt the scales in their favour.

Australia vs India Stats

Australia have won 14 of their 16 ODIs at Sydney Cricket Ground against India.
Australia have won four of their last five ODIs played at this venue.
The team batting first has won seven of the last eight ODIs at this venue.
India have lost their last three bilateral ODIs away from home.
Australia’s Adam Zampa has dismissed Virat Kohli five times in ODIs.

Prediction

India will feel the absence of Rohit Sharma and the makeshift opening partnership could be tough to predict. Australia have the advantage that Aaron Finch and David Warner have been doing well recently.

Steve Smith will be a crucial factor for Australia, whose bowling has a slight advantage over their Indian counterparts. This should be a good game nevertheless and one that should set a good pre-cursor to the tour ahead.

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