Plot:

Riding high on confidence after the successful Lankan tour, the Indian team will take on the Aussies for a 5-match ODI series and a 3-match T20I series. They face a stern test in the pursuit to be the number one ODI side in the world. It is a battle between the number 2 and 3 teams and the tussle kicks off in Chennai, at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Both these sides have always produced exciting encounters and they have never disappointed us with thrilling cricket being one of the main ingredients of their clashes. The last time Australia visited India for an ODI series, India won 3-2 and the hosts will be looking to replicate that performance this time around too. India’s batting is in red-hot form but it will be interesting to see who opens the batting for them with Shikhar Dhawan opting out, citing personal reasons. The middle order has been successful for India and the top order is a major stronghold with the bat. This has been the recipe behind India’s ability to post big totals on the board and their bowlers have been extremely accurate with the ball too. Be it Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel or Yuzvendra Chahal, these spinners have bamboozled batsmen and the Aussies might have another tough outing against them. Jasprit Bumrah, who had a sensational series in Sri Lanka will spearhead the attack, and would look to let the ball do the talking once again.

Australia have had a roller-coaster record in ODIs, this year. The visitors have won four games and lost as many in the eight encounters so far and will look to fare at a better rate. They do have a strong batting line-up as well, but they will be without their regular opener, Aaron Finch who will miss out the first few games due to an injury. Travis Head might open the innings along with the explosive David Warner and he is coming off a successful Test series in Bangladesh. Interestingly, it will be Warner’s first ODI in India after having played a few Tests here in the past. He has enormous experience of playing here though, and the conditions won’t be alien to him. Steven Smith will be once again the key wicket for the Indian bowlers. The Australian skipper loves scoring runs against India, and he would look to get off to a positive start in the series opener. Some of the key bowlers are missing out for Australia, but Pat Cummins will be their go-to man and can pack a punch with his pace. Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa will be licking their lips as the pitch suits the spinners in India. A 4-1 victory or anything better for one of the teams would see them topple the Proteas from the top spot in the ICC ODI team rankings.

Stage:

M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

The Chepauk in Chennai is a well-known stadium. It will host the first ODI of the series. Australia have a hundred per cent record here as they have won all their four games. India, who are on a winning spree will look to start the series on a high and break Australia’s streak at the venue. Overall, it will be a good track to bat on, but spinners will come into play during the middle overs.

Acts:

Rohit Sharma vs Pat Cummins:

The Indian opener will be up against one of his favourite opponents in this format. With a wide array of shots in his armoury, Rohit will be looking to take on Australia’s most lethal bowler. Rohit is exemplary against the short ball and likes to take on pace. Cummins will be faced with the task of removing the in-form batsman cheaply.

Virat Kohli vs James Faulkner:

The Indian skipper has belted the Aussie all-rounder and has amassed a lot of runs against him. Faulkner will be looking to get into Kohli’s head to play with his mental strength. In the past, the two have been involved in a couple of on-field tussles. One thing is for sure, they won’t back down if any one of them adds some more fuel to the fire.

Steven Smith vs Jasprit Bumrah:

The Indian pacer is coming off a remarkable series in Sri Lanka. He will look to keep the Aussie skipper silent with the bat through his yorkers and slower ones. Can Steven Smith trouble Bumrah’s lengths and score runs freely? This battle will be mouth-watering as Smith is one of the best batsman going around at the moment, while Bumrah is perhaps one of the most dangerous pacers in limited overs cricket.