Just a short while ago, we were engrossed in discussions about India versus Australia ODIs on the subcontinent. It’s hard to believe, but only 11 days have passed since the conclusion of a three-match series that served as a warm-up for this very event. The action now unfolds at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. India and Australia have collectively clinched over half of the last ten Cricket World Cup trophies since 1983, establishing themselves as perennial favorites in each edition.
The pressure is firmly on the shoulders of the host nation, India. Despite entering this event as the ICC’s top-ranked team across all three formats, they grapple with a decade-long dry spell since their last global triumph, which came in the form of the 2013 Champions Trophy. While this may not necessarily represent the final opportunity for seasoned players like captain Rohit Sharma, his predecessor Virat Kohli, and the 37-year-old all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, the clock is ticking.
On paper, India has assembled a remarkably formidable squad that seems to check all the right boxes. They flaunt the most prolific opening partnership in ODI cricket, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill amassing an impressive 1048 runs at an average of 87.33. The middle-order is bolstered by the capable duo of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, while the spin department boasts the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Leading the fast-bowling brigade is the world’s number one ranked ODI bowler, Mohammed Siraj.
However, their preparations for this game hit a snag on Friday when it was revealed that Shubman Gill had contracted dengue fever upon his arrival in Chennai, casting doubt on his availability for this match. Gill, who has been the highest run-scorer in ODIs this year by a significant margin, would be a significant loss. Nevertheless, India has capable replacements. KL Rahul, with nine 50+ scores from 23 ODI innings as an opener, and Ishan Kishan, who recently notched up three consecutive 50s in a tour of the West Indies along with a double-century in Bangladesh, are viable options.
Whoever makes the cut in the final eleven will understand the importance of not underestimating their Australian counterparts. The two teams have already clashed in six ODIs in India this year, though not always with full-strength squads, resulting in a riveting 3-3 head-to-head record. Australia’s strategic move to gain exposure in Indian conditions, particularly for players like Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith, and Alex Carey who missed out on the Indian Premier League in 2023, was indeed shrewd.
This period also provided Australia with an opportunity to decide on an opening partner for David Warner, given the retirements of Aaron Finch and the injury to Travis Head. While Mitchell Marsh seems the likeliest candidate, Australia kept their opponents guessing by fielding Steve Smith in a warm-up game against the Netherlands. Smith, boasting two Big Bash League centuries as an opening batter, could potentially fit the role. Assuming no unforeseen injuries, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will spearhead the bowling attack, supported by Cummins and Adam Zampa, with additional spin overs expected from Glenn Maxwell, who has diligently honed his spin bowling skills.
Players to keep an eye on include India’s captain Rohit Sharma, who was absent from the victorious squad in 2011 and is yet to secure a World Cup win in any format. However, he boasts an imposing record across the 2015 and 2019 editions, including a record-breaking five centuries in 2019. Interestingly, Chennai has not been kind to him in ODIs, with a highest score of just 36 from six attempts.
Mitch Marsh, who recently filled in as ODI captain for Australia, is poised to assume the role again in the future. He has emerged as a pivotal player across all formats and amassed more runs (289) than any other player in the six 2023 ODIs between these teams. Against India’s formidable quintet of Bumrah, Siraj, Kuldeep, Jadeja, and Ashwin, Marsh maintains a staggering average of 102 with the bat in ODIs at a rate of 6.9 runs per over.
Statistically speaking, the six ODIs held in Chennai since the 2011 World Cup have yielded just 12 scores exceeding 300 runs. The average first innings score during this period stands at 272, rising to 279 for the four teams that batted first and emerged victorious.
Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, compiled series figures of 2-103 (economy rate of 5.72) during the ODI series in India leading up to this event. KL Rahul has notched five half-centuries in his last 11 ODI innings against Australia.
Though in a different format, Ravindra Jadeja clinched the most wickets (11 from 27 overs) of any player at this venue during the 2023 Indian Premier League. In a similar vein, Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Alex Carey five times in the 2023 Test series, maintaining an average of 5.00. In the recent ODIs, Ashwin only bowled four balls to Carey, conceding three runs.
Carey has also encountered difficulties against the leg-spin of Kuldeep Yadav, being dismissed six times in ODIs/T20Is for a mere 67 runs. Adam Zampa has claimed 2 or more wickets in eight of his last 14 ODIs in India. Finally, in ODIs since the beginning of 2020, Josh Hazlewood has managed to dismiss Virat Kohli four times, giving up 32 runs in seven overs.
