Team India started off its campaign in the new year on a positive note by clinching a 2-0 victory in the 3-game T20I series against Sri Lanka. The team is now gearing up to host their old-rivals, the Kangaroos for a 3-match ODI series. It’s has been 11 months since Australia last toured India for a tournament. During their last visit, the team looked pale sinking in the absence of two of their strongest players, David Warner and Steve Smith due to the year-long ban imposed on them over ball-tampering allegations.
However, the ban is now over, and the players are back in the team with a bang and will be featuring in the upcoming Aussies squad against India. Ready to walk down the field with a full-fledged team, the visitors will be eyeing an easy victory but looking at the performances of in-form team India, it seems that they are going to give the visitors a tough time.
It will be interesting to see which team is going to have the upper-hand in the upcoming series. The first ODI of the upcoming series will be played on January 14 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The live-action will begin at 1:30 PM IST.
Pitch Report & Weather Conditions
The pitch at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has a thing for the batsmen. It is known as a batter’s paradise with defend game being quite difficult. Dew factor will come in play as the game progresses. Thus, the team winning the toss shall opt to field first.
As per the weather reports, the temperature will be around 25-28 degrees Celsius with no chances of rain. The viewers can expect a full game.
Head-to-Head
Total Played: 137
India: 50
Australia: 77
No Result: 10
Team News
India
As Shikhar Dhawan is back to the squad, he is likely to replace KL Rahul as the second opener in the team. Rohit Sharma, who was rested for the previous series, will be seen playing in the first game. In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumhrah is back in the squad which mean Navdeep Saini might miss the game.
Probable Playing XI
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(wk), Kedar Jadhav/Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav/Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
Australia
The Australian team will be joining the match with its terrific trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood that can get any team’s batsmen to go weak in the knees. Also, the team will feature the likes of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner.
Probable Playing XI
David Warner, Aaron Finch (C), Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Peter Handscomb, Alex Carey (WK), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Key Players
India
Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma
Australia
David Warner
Steve Smith
