Aakash Chopra understands that Australia has a better-balanced side than India ahead of the first ODI match. India’s tour of Australia will kick off tomorrow with the first ODI match taking place at Sydney. The two sides have played several 50 over matches against each other and the fans have always witnessed an even contest.
However, things will be different this time around for Team India as they will be without Rohit Sharma who has been the most prolific run-scorer against Australia in ODI cricket. Also, Hardik Pandya is expected to play as a specialist batsman much as he did in the recently concluded IPL 2020 as his bowling action is injury prone. As a result, the Indian team will only have one genuine all-rounder in the squad in the form of Ravindra Jadeja.
Australia Has More Depth Than India – Aakash Chopra
That is why Aakash Chopra believes that Australia are favourites going into the contest as they have the luxury of playing more all-rounders. On his YouTube channel, the popular commentator pointed out that Stoinis and Maxwell will contribute with both bat and ball which makes Australia a more balanced unit than India. Also, Chopra added that the lower order of the hosts has more firepower and depth with the bat as compared to team India.
“They have Stoinis at No.7 and we have got Jaddu. These are the Australian pitches, so the story will be different. Stoinis and Maxwell will also give them overs. So that is the other difference, that no one is bowling in our top 6 while they have a bowler in their top 6, so that makes the balance a little better. And after that Cummins, who bats well, Starc, who also bats well”, Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
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“So, if we see in terms of all-rounders, the Australian team has a little more depth. They have batting till No.8 or No.9 while our batting will end at No.7. So I feel the balance tilts slightly towards Australia,” Aakash Chopra added.
Meanwhile, since Hardik Pandya will not be bowling India will have to play an extra bowler instead of a batsman. On paper, Australia does look a more settled side than India, especially in the all-rounder’s department. Virat Kohli and his men will have to be at their best if they want to outclass the Aussies in the first ODI tomorrow.
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