Team India will face Australia in their open encounter to be played at M Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on 8th October 2023. Both teams would look for a winning start in front of a capacity crowd.
Indian team played against Australia ahead of the World Cup and look to play attacking cricket. On the other hand, the Aussies must show their aggressive approach in the first match as they will miss the service of Travis Head in the first match.
Both teams have top-quality players who can change the course of the game with their bowling and batting abilities. It promises to be an exciting encounter between two top teams in the world.
Here we look at the 5 Players To Watch Out For
- Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has done well in One-day internationals against Australia. He played 47 matches (45 innings) and scored 2228 runs with the best score of 123 at an average of 53.05.
Coming at number 3, Kohli would look to showcase his skills against the top-quality bowling lineup of Australia and put pressure on the bowlers. If he could hit big runs, then India would have a great chance to start the tournament with a victory.
Playing in front of the home crowd, Kohli has the ability to transfer the pressure on the bowlers if one of the openers gets out early. If openers get a good start, then he would be able to play his attacking game and help Team India register victory.
- Steve Smith
Steve Smith has a superb record against India in One-day internationals. During the 3rd One-day international at Rajkot, Smith proved his worth with a well-complied knock. He has featured in 27 ODI matches (23 innings) with 5 centuries and 6 half-centuries to his name, best score of 149.
Smith would look to keep the pressure on the Indian bowlers if Mitchell Marsh and David Warner provide a decent start. Coming at number 3, Smith can play the spinners and pacers decently.
His role will be key for Australia as he can hit the boundaries with ease and keep the scoreboard ticking. Smith would hope to play according to the situation that would help 5 Time Champions Australia to post or chase down the target easily.
- Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj has been in sensational form of late in a One-day international format. He would be playing his first ODI World Cup, especially at home. Siraj had a dream outing in the Asia Cup finals with 6 for 21 in 7 overs and helped Team India skittle out Sri Lanka for just 50 runs.
He would share the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah. Siraj can swing the ball both ways and pick early wickets, especially Mitchell Marsh who can put pressure on the bowlers. The number-ranked ODI bowler will be a major threat to Australian batters.
Siraj has bowled in 5 innings against Australia picking up 6 wickets at an economy of 7.12 runs per over. He would look to improve the record and provide early breakthroughs.
- Mitchell Starc
The left-arm pace bowler Mitchell Starc has been a beast when it comes to World Cups. He has been a brilliant performer for Australia in One-day internationals against India. During the 17 matches he bowled, Starc has grabbed 26 wickets at an economy of 6.14 runs per over and best figures of 6 for 43.
Starc would look to provide early breakthroughs and put the Indian team under immense pressure against Rohit and Co. The experienced pace bowler would look to do early damage making sure that Australia does not allow the Indian bowlers to run away with the match.
- Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya has been a key member of the One-day international team with his all-round abilities. His batting performance against Australia proved to be a match-winner as he made the best score of 92 in 11 innings.
On the bowling front, Pandya has grabbed 11 wickets from 10 innings at an economy of 6.28 runs per over. He will play a key role in coming lower down the order and finishing the innings. Pandya would also do the job with pace and accuracy that would trouble Australian batters.
If Hardik Pandya could do the job with both bat and ball, then India has a great chance to defeat Australia with ease.
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