India will face Australia in the first One-day international match to be played at PCA Stadium, Mohali on 22 September 2023. It promises to be an exciting encounter on a superb batting pitch that will aid the batters.
Australia will see the return of Steve Smith and Pat Cummins while Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell will not feature in the first One-day international. The Aussies registered a thrilling 2-1 series win over India in March this year and would look to display attacking cricket.
There are some top-quality players on the Australian side that has the ability to change the course of the game with their abilities.
Here we look at the 3 Australian Players That Will Be A Threat to India in the first ODI match.
- Steve Smith
Steve Smith is coming back to the Australian squad after recovering from an injury. When Australia visited India in March this year, Smith was named the captain in the absence of Pat Cummins. His performance with the bat was not up to mark with only 22 runs from 3 matches.
Overall, Smith has a great record in the ODI format with 1145 runs from 23 matches with an average of 57.25 and with best score of 149. With the pitch suitable for batting at Mohali, Smith will be a dangerous batter to face as he will be eager to showcase his batting abilities.
After coming back from an injury, Steve Smith will look to regain his form before the World Cup 2023 which will start on 5th October.
- Pat Cummins
The Australian captain Pat Cummins will also return to captain the side. He missed the ODI series against South Africa as he was recovering from a wrist injury. Cummins would hope to lead from the front while bowling to Shubman Gill and Co in the first 10 overs.
Cummins would be hoping to lead from the front and provide early breakthroughs for Australia to put pressure on the Indian batting lineup. He has a decent record against India in the ODI format with 24 wickets from 17 matches at an economy of 5.19 runs per over.
Australia will be without Mitchell Starc for the first One-day international. Cummins would be a major threat as the pitch could help the pacers initially which will be key to picking early wickets.
- Adam Zampa
The right-arm leg spinner Adam Zampa will be a key for Australia to pick wickets in the middle overs. He proved to be a match-winner with 4 wickets in the final One-day international at Chennai this year and Australia helped Australia register a memorable series win.
He looked impressive in the ODI series against South Africa. After going for 113 runs in 10 overs, Zampa would be key for Australia to pick wickets and stem the flow of runs. Zampa has a great record in the ODI format with 31 wickets from 19 matches with figures of 4 for 45.
The leg-spinner will be a major threat for the Indian team in the first One-day international and hope to do the job at Mohali.
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