India and Australia set to fight it out in Chennai for ODI series victory

It is a locked and loaded affair at Chennai as India and Australia go head-to-head in what promises to be a ravishing series finale to decide the fate of the ODIs. India managed to romp over the Australians in the opener after a shaky start to the proceedings while Australia left India stuttering at Vishakhapatnam to equal scores and both teams will want to put their best foot forward in order to take home the series victory. 

India will have some serious contemplations on their part as they will need to try and dissect the performances in the series so far, particularly with the bat in their hand. The top order has struggled significantly in front of Australia’s pace mafia spearheaded by Mitchell Starc, and the Indian batsmen will want to get some runs on the board. 

India will like some serious assistance in their middle-order that has failed to paper over the cracks despite comprising a handful of big names. With probably the finest names coming out in the middle-order featuring the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, the numbers are expected to be better instead of what currently seems like a stutter.

The Indian bowlers were in phenomenal touch in the curtain-raiser but couldn’t get past the opening duo in the second ODI despite knocking on the doors vehemently. This at times has been a challenge for the hosts, particularly in low-scoring contests with very minimal resistance from the bowlers.

With all said and done, India does have the firepower in order to silence Australia, particularly with a well-oiled unit that comes at the top followed by a flurry of all-rounders who can act as the link between the top-order and the tail-enders who possess the ability to smash around the bowlers by a fair mile. However, in order to deliver the desired result, they will need to come together so that the job is done handsomely.

For Australia, they will be happy to see their primary fast bowler return to shape and while the teams arrive at Chennai, the visitors will be hoping to strike again while the iron is still pretty hot, particularly with the Indian top order shaken. However, once again when you are in India, no matter whatsoever has happened in the past, it would never matter. In the last few home series, India have managed to come on top of their opposition every time they have been challenged in a bilateral series, may it be Sri Lanka, New Zealand and now Australia. Expect the home side to come out all guns blazing with the series on the line in Chennai.

Venue Watch:

The ground has played host to 31 ODIs out of which 15 have been won batting first while 15 have been won chasing. The average score while batting first is 230 while the average score during a chase is 210 that somewhat signifies that this won’t be your particular run-fest that would witness heavy exchange of haymakers but a very tight-knit contest between the willow and the leather.

Head-to-head:

Matches played: 145

India: 54

Australia: 81

Match Details:

India vs Australia

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

22nd March, 2023

1:30 PM IST

Squads:

India:  

Rohit Sharma (c), Yuzvendra Chahal, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, Jaydev Unadkat, Washington Sundar, Suryakumar Yadav.

Australia: 

Steve Smith (c) Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.