The Indian team will take on Australia in the first One-day international to be played at M Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on 17th September 2017. Virat Kohli led side are high on a confidence after whitewashing 5-0 Sri Lanka in their own den. Australia lost a test match against Bangladesh and Steve Smith would be looking to perform well as a unit with good experience of playing in the Indian Premier League for since a long time.
India will be missing explosive opener Shikhar Dhawan for the first 3 ODI’s for attending his ill wife. With KL Rahul and Rahane as the other options, it will be interesting who opens with Rohit Sharma. Virat Kohli the captain of Indian team would be looking to perform well against Australia. His ability to play with positive intent and chase down targets with ease would make him a dangerous batsman for the visitors to deal. The Indian captain has a great record against the Australian team.
If Rahane opens the innings, KL Rahul would come at number 4. He did not have a great series against Sri Lanka. Manish Pandey also played well in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. While Mahendra Singh Dhoni also scored 162 runs and would play an important role. Hardik Pandya would do the all-rounders job with Axar Patel.
In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah would be a certain option along with other Mohammed Shami or Umesh Yadav who has made a comeback into the team. Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel would be doing the spin duty job.
Australia will be without Aaron Finch because of a hamstring injury. David Warner would be key batsman for the visitors to provide quick fire starts. The batting order looks strong with the likes of Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Cartwright. If Australia wants to put pressure on the Indian team then, the experienced players need to come up with the goods.
The bowling department looks weak with the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc ruled out of the series. If Australia wants to stop top quality Indian batting line up of India, then all the bowlers need to pick wickets at regular intervals. Pat Cummins, Marcus Stoinis, James Faulkner. The spin bowling department comprises of young Adam Zampa and part-time bowler Travis Head.
The pitch at Chennai promises to be a great batting wicket and with top quality batsmen on each side, the crowd would want a mouthwatering match.
