Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Australia vs India 1st ODI Preview Dream11
In a bit of Friday/Weekend fun, India now begin their warm ups for the New Zealand ODIs, with the first of three matches against Australia.
In all seriousness, both sides are a world apart now in ODI Cricket, and it will take something incredible to see India leave Australia without a series win in the ODIs, either.
Australia have rung in the changes, apart from their kit. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are still recovering from the sight of Cheteshwar Pujara, sending down a combined 436 overs in total in the Test Series. The selectors have made also clear that BBL form counts for little on the batting front, and with a World Cup fast approaching, this is a huge opportunity for those in the squad to book their seat to England. Can they give India a headache or two?
India now turn their focus to ODI Cricket after their first ever Test Series triumph down under. Backed by a world class top three and experienced attack, India have the ingredients to cause Australia further misery. The absence of Jasprit Bumrah is indeed respite for Australia, but this Indian side will be keen to reverse their 4-1 drubbing the last time they played ODIs in Australia. Will Virat Kohli’s men enjoy further success on this tour?
Key to an Australia win
Can Australia’s top three compete at all with India’s? Aaron Finch, Alex Carey and Usman Khawaja have a big task in adjusting quickly, with Carey new as Australian opener and Khawaja just recalled. The loss of early wickets, like in their series against South Africa, spells trouble, given the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis must be given the freedom of a good platform to launch. With accumulators such as Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb finishing off the top five, Australia can ill-afford having Stoinis and Maxwell doing rebuilding work especially against India’s spinners who thrive on wickets in the middle overs.
And, can Australia’s new look attack get the better of India’s top order? One weakness of India’s in ODI Cricket over the past year or so has been the lack of fluency of their middle order, so Australia need to try have a shot at it as quickly as possible. That task is very much easier said than done, but Jason Behrendhorff is a player Australia can hope to get the better of Rohit Sharma, who can sometimes struggle against left-arm bowling. Can the likes of Jhye Richardson and Peter Siddle (recalled after eight years), put pressure on India’s lineup?
Key to an India win
India’s top three has the potential to knock Australia out of the contest, but it is not a given. Australia’s bowlers are all effort bowlers, and Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will have to guard against any possible movement early. However, a fast start can have the doubts creep in for Australia, in a time where confidence is low. With the great Virat Kohli at three, India can hope for a big start, giving the middle order a chance to launch at the back end. Can the likes of Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni also deliver when needed?
Also, Hardik Pandya is likely to be suspended for two games after controversial comments on a TV show, which will mean Yuzvendra Chahal might miss out. However, with Kuldeep Yadav causing Australia problems in the Tests, the onus is on the seamers to keep the pressure on Australia’s top order so Kuldeep and Ravindra Jadeja, if picked, can continue putting the squeeze on Australia in those all important middle overs.
You feel if India’s top order fires, backed by outplaying Australia in the middle overs, they’ll win easily.
Possible Playing 11
Changes galore for Australia. Alex Carey will open with Aaron Finch, with Usman Khawaja to bat three. Adam Zampa is likely to miss out, with Nathan Lyon to get a run. Mitchell Marsh is out with illness, and Peter Siddle is set to play his first ODI since 2010.
Australia Possible Playing 11: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. Alex Carey (wk), 3. Usman Khawaja, 4. Shaun Marsh, 5. Peter Handscomb, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Glenn Maxwell, 8. Peter Siddle, 9. Jhye Richardson, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Jason Behrendhorff
India look more settled, but Hardik Pandya is set to miss out after controversy. This will likely mean Ravindra Jadeja plays to provide India with greater batting cover down the order, with Yuzvendra Chahal continuing to be the unlucky one to miss out.
India Possible Playing 11: 1. Shikhar Dhawan, 2. Rohit Sharma, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. Ambati Rayudu, 5. MS Dhoni (wk), 6. Kedar Jadhav, 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Kuldeep Yadav, 11. Khaleel Ahmed
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Dream11 Prediction
- Alex Carey is set to open for Australia, and MS Dhoni will bat behind a fine top order.
- Virat Kohli has a substandard record at SCG in ODIs, scoring just 33 runs in four matches. However, he is the world’s best ODI batsman, and can be backed to do well anywhere.
- The battle between Jason Behrendhorff and Rohit Sharma will be significant. Sharma averages 50 at the SCG in four matches.
- Shaun Marsh, despite his Test struggles, had a superb 2018 in ODIs. He scored 416 runs at 59.42, with a strike rate of 101.96.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar misses out due to lack of cricket in recent times, plus average ODI record against Australia, with eight wickets in 12 ODIs at 64.37.
- Kuldeep is one of the premier ODI bowlers, and will likely find some turn on the SCG surface.
Enjoy a laugh! Australia vs India 4th Test Player Ratings.
Pitch and conditions
There has been rain around in Sydney in the past week, but conditions will be great for cricket on Saturday. Low 30s with no chance of rain. The pitch is expected to be good for batting.
Stats and Facts
- Australia have won just three of their past 24 ODIs.
- Head to head at SCG: Australia 13 India 2.
- Shikhar Dhawan needs 65 runs for 5,000 in ODIs.
- India have won nine of their last 10 ODI assignments (including Asia Cup 2018).
Match Prediction
Australia have players on paper who can deliver moments of excellence, but India have more sustained excellence about them.
India to win and take a 1-0 series lead.
Thanks for reading!
PS I recently partnered with the great team at onlinecricstore.com
- Purchase any cricket item and get a special discount with my name code: CHARBEL5
- Hope you enjoy my cricket tips on the OnlineCricStore Blog!
Australia vs India 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
