India vs Australia, 1st ODI Preview: Hosts seek revenge after T20 humiliation

The weather is just about beginning to crank up in terms of humidity and heat in Hyderabad and will pose a big challenge for the visiting side.

Published - 01 Mar 2019, 17:41 IST | Updated - 01 Mar 2019, 17:41 IST

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It was a rather easy win in the second T20I for Australia in Bangalore with Glenn Maxwell going bonkers and that should give the visitors enough confidence going into the next game. The 50-overs contest is a different ball game and in this format, India have been on a roll in recent times and would aspire to continue that.

India’s last major assignment in International cricket before the World Cup begins and the management would be hoping to find the last pieces of the almost-completed jigsaw – the World Cup 15-man squad. KL Rahul’s place is still in ambiguity and the likes of Rishabh Pant, Siddarth Kaul and Vijay Shankar would want to throw their best shot in this series.

Focus still remains Down South as Hyderabad hosts this encounter after Vizag and Bangalore hosted the T20Is. The weather is just about beginning to crank up in terms of humidity and heat in this part of the country and will pose a big challenge for the visiting side.

Playing Combinations

India

India will go with their standard opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma to go with Virat Kohli and Ambati Rayudu coming in at number 3 and 4. The middle order might comprise of Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Rishabh Pant and all-rounder Vijay Shankar.

India will tempted to play two spinners in the XI and that would mean Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav partnering to torment the visitors. Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah have been brilliant in recent years and they pick themselves in the team.

Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Rishabh Pant, Vijay Shankar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

Australia

The 5-time World Champions will go with Aaron Finch and Alex Carey as openers, with the experienced Usman Khawaja coming in at number three. Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis will be their other batsmen in the middle order.

The very impressive youngster Jhye Richardson managed to make his mark in the ODI series against India in Australia and will be eager to showcase his skill in this series. He will be partnered by Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff and Patrick Cummins with one among Adam Zampa being the lone spinning option.

Playing XI: Aaron Finch (C), Alex Carey (WK), Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner/Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa.

Focus will be on

Ambati Rayudu (India)

After sealing his number 4 spot, this will be Ambati Rayudu’s first home-coming. The last time he was here in a blue jersey was against Sri Lanka back in 2014 and will receive a rupturing response from the crowd. Although many fans are convinced he’s the right choice for that position, there are many who still have doubts and this could be one great chance for Rayudu to prove his critics.

Patrick Cummins (Australia)

Arguably Australia’s most important player at this point in time, Pat Cummins is proving his worth no matter what he is doing. He helped his side get over the line with the bat in the first T20I and is consistently showing up with good figures. Hyderabad’s weather conditions will be a challenge for the 25-year-old, but he will relish it.