Indian cricket team’s long wait to play international cricket will be over on Friday as they kick off their Australian tour by taking on the hosts in the first One Day International of three-match series at Sydney Cricket Ground. India will be playing its full-strength team barring Rohit Sharma who will not be available for the game. KL Rahul will be vice-captain for the match in Sharma’s absence.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, both the teams will returning to action after a long time. While India played their last ODI in New Zealand in the beginning of the year, while Australia haven’t played the format since September last year. India will have slight edge over their counterparts as their recent record in ODIs is slightly better than the Kangaroos. However, Australia have always been a formidable side on their soil and it would not be easy for Kohli’s men to get the better of them down under.
The biggest concern for India will be the opening pair. All the eyes will be on the team management on whether they decide to go with Mayank Agarwal or Shubman Gill to start the innings with Dhawan if they decide to play Rahul in middle order.
In the bowling department, team India is like to play both Bumrah and Shami. However, Kuldeep Yadav or Yazuvendra Chahal might have to sit out in the presence of Jadeja in the team.
For Australia, Glenn Maxwell’s dipping form will be a huge concern. Maxwell had a dismal season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well and would be itching to get himself among the runs. The good news for the Aussies that Steve Smith will be back in the team after missing the series against the England. In the bowling department, pacers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are likely to be supported by Adam Zampa.
Squads:
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Pat Cummins (vc), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Sams, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Also Read: Nationwide strike cripples normal life in Kerala, clashes erupt in Bengal, Tripura, Odisha
India: Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul (vc/wk), Mayank Agarwal, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Navdeep Saini, Sanju Samson (wk), Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur.