India will take on Australia in the second ODI to avoid a series loss after suffering a 66-runs defeat in the opening ODI. If India loses, it will be a successive ODI series loss for Kohli.
Match Timings: Nov 29, 9:10 AM (IST)
Team Preview
Team India is ready for the do-die encounter on Sunday in the three-matches series, as one more defeat will wrap up the series for the hosts. In the opening ODI, Australia made full use of the pitch and outclassed India by 66 runs, riding on a marvelous batting show at SCG. Smith and Finch both scored ton to set 375 on board, and in reply, the top-order failure delivered India a 66-run loss. Pandya and Dhawan’s approach should be admired, but India didn’t adapt to the conditions. The top-order was tested on the bouncy track, and they failed against the pace. Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Iyer’s intent was pretty low as they went against the pace and got trapped. KL Rahul also threw his wicket to take charge against Zampa, who bowls leg-break and trouble batsman in the air and off the pitch.
India can script a comeback in the series, and they have done it before. In 2020, Team India went on to win the series after losing the opening encounter in Mumbai. The 6th bowling option will be a worrying sign until Pandya takes the ball in the middle. Jadeja was effective, but he failed to create any impact. The proper 5 bowlers options would be another idea for Kohli, and he can look back at Kuldeep or Natarajan as the 5th bowler. Too much experiment can hurt India’s goal, and we might also see the same XI on Sunday because Kohli always backs his side after the defeat.
India recently lost to New Zealand in away series, and one more series loss Down Under can draw questions on Virat Kohli as the Indian captain is already facing criticism since Mumbai’s 5th triumph in Indian T20 League. Starting with the loss in Manchester last year, India lost each ODI Down-Under. Surprisingly, Rohit was not in the playing XI during four of those defeats. Yuzvendra Chahal’s availability is in doubt as he left the ground after facing a problem in his leg.
Meanwhile, Australia had so many positives from the consecutive victories, and they are just one win away to add one more series win in CWC Super League. Smith’s batting brilliance with an acceleration boosted Australia. Finch and Maxwell both performed in Sydney to shut all the UEA trolls. One thing which can worry Australia is its pace-attack. Except for Hazlewood, Starc and Cummins were completely off the colours. Stoinis had some injury issue in the last game, but it shouldn’t be a big one.
The top-order is scoring runs, and the middle-order is providing the fire in the end; this is the winning story for Australia since the pandemic break. Zampa has taken his role seriously, and his ability to control runs and offering breakthroughs in middle-overs is exceptional. Toss can play a major role on Sunday, and if Team India manages to bat first, we can find the result in favour of the visitors.
Pitch Report
Sydney Cricket Ground will host the second game as well, and on the used surface, it can offer some assistance to the spinners. The surface is a fine batting track, and it has enough runs. We could expect another 300 plus score on Sunday.
Possible XI
Australia
David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
India
Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal/Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Navdeep Saini
Key Players
Australia
David Warner
Indian T20 League 2020 – M: 16, Runs: 548, Avg: 39.14
Previous outing – 69 (76)
Adam Zampa
Since COVID-break – M: 4, Wickets: 14, Avg: 14.42
India
Shikhar Dhawan
ODIs in Australia – M: 12, Runs: 471, Avg: 39.2
Previous outing – 74 (86)
KL Rahul
Indian T20 League 2020 – M: 14, Runs: 670, Avg: 55.83
