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Australia vs India 3rd ODI Preview: Can India salvage a win from the series?

By Sridhar Bhamidi

01 Dec 2020

Sridhar Bhamidi 01 Dec 2020

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Australia lead India 2-0 and have won the series
Can India salvage pride at Manuka Oval?
India were comprehensively beaten in two matches at the SCG

Can India win the final ODI? (Getty Images)

Two comprehensive wins later, Australia have won the three-match ODI series 2-0. As the teams move to Canberra for the third and inconsequential ODI, the onus is on India putting up a fight.

Australia have enjoyed their top-order belting runs at will, while their bowlers exhibited better skills than their Indian counterparts. As for the visitors, like captain Virat Kohli said, India were outplayed in all departments. Unless they get back to the drawing board and make huge improvements, there is no way they can dream of even a consolation win.

Australia Form

Two totals of 375 and more underline how strong the Australian batting has been. Steve Smith (209 runs, Avg. 104.50, SR 160.76) has feasted on the Indian delicacies, while Aaron Finch (174 runs, SR 90.15) has been steady too. The performance of Glenn Maxwell (108 runs, SR 225.00) has been a refreshing change.

With the ball, Adam Zampa (six wickets, ER 5.80) continues to be the difference between the two sides. Josh Hazlewood (five wickets, ER 6.00) is proving to be an all-format bowler.

Australia News

Opener David Warner is out of the match with a groin injury while Pat Cummins has been rested. That could pave way for Sean Abbott to play his second ODI in nearly six years. Marnus Labuschagne could be propped up the order to open in Warner’s absence.

India Form

India struggled to adapt to the conditions, more specially their bowlers. None of their regular bowlers are conceding below 6.15 this series. Jasprit Bumrah (two wickets, ER 7.60) has had a real shocker of a series, while Navdeep Saini (ER 9.00) and Yuzvendra Chahal (ER 8.42) have been all over the place.

The batting has been relatively better, although the Indian batters are nowhere close to what the Aussies have been doing. Hardik Pandya (118 runs, SR 110.28) is enjoying his stint as a pure batsman, although Virat Kohli (110 runs, SR 101.85) is expected to show improvement.

India News

The Indian camp doesn’t have any injury worries, but the poor form of the bowlers could warrant changes. Bumrah, Saini, and Chahal are all in line to be replaced with Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan, and Kuldeep Yadav ready to get in.

Australia vs India Head to Head

Australia continue to extend their dominance over India and now lead 38-13 in 53 ODIs played in this country. Overall, they have a 80-52 record over India.

At the Manuka Oval, Australia have won each of their four ODIs including the only one against India in 2016.

Australia vs India Match Up

Australia have towered above India with their all-round performances and the third ODI should be no different. While Warner’s absence is a worry, Australia can summon Matthew Wade or Marnus Labuschagne to open in his stead.

There are replacements in the all-round category too with Sean Abbott and Cameron Green ready to take up Cummins’ place. India, on the other hand, do not have quality replacements in the squad to take out the non-performing players.

Australia vs India Stats

Australia have won all four ODIs played at the Manuka Oval including one against India in 2016.
The team batting first has won all four ODIs that Australia played at this venue.
The team batting first has won the last seven ODIs played at this venue.
India have lost their last five bilateral ODIs away from home.
Adam Zampa took at least two wickets in his last six ODIs.

Prediction

India right now look a pale shadow of the side that has been a competent ODI team for long. Australia at the moment have the right balance and squad to make the best use of the conditions. The hosts look well placed to make it 3-0. As for individual performances, Zampa’s consistency makes him an ideal pick to top the bowling charts.

Australia to win

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