Editor's Pick (ODI): India - Australia

Now there is really no such thing as ‘love your opponent’ in cricket. There are traditional rivals such as India-Pakistan and England-Australia who have been facing each other for years and have their own special equation. While India-Australia are not in that zone, the two countries do have a fair amount of current between them as well. In fact, cricket has been used to improve the relations between the two countries. Isn’t that nice?

There have been great players in the teams of both countries who are icons not just of their respective teams but whose names have become synonymous with the game itself. That is the beauty of the game actually. To be able to appreciate the skill and talent irrespective of the nationality of the player is the mark of a true cricket fan. And to hate his guts when he uses that skill against your team of course :)

The thrill and the atmosphere that is created between India and Australia, especially in India, is beyond brilliant. The Aussies are technically a good team. We love the challenge. It is a good match indeed. The best part, the first match is in Chennai. MA Chidambaram Stadium. This particular venue has fans that have been appreciated many many times before. My first memory of the sportsmanship of this audience is when Pakistan came to Chennai to play against India for a test match. Pakistan Won. But the audience here stood up and cheered. That has really never been seen before in India. This happened in 1999. And Yes, I was there too.

Chennai is really something.

Ok back to the match. The Aussies tour India - 5 ODIs and 3 T20s.

The first match. Handscomb added to the Aussies Squad. As a cover for Aaron Finch. Shikhar Dhawan is not playing the first three ODI.

India's Squad for first 3 ODIs vs Australia :
Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma (VC), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami.
Australia ODI squad:
Steve Smith (C), David Warner, Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Adam Zampa

My lineup

Batsmen

Steve Smith

Rohit Sharma

David Warner

Peter Handscomb ( I would like Dhavan here though)

Virat Kohli

Bowlers

Pat Cummins

B Kumar

Kuldeep Yadav/Hardik Pandya

Kedar Jadhav

All-Rounder

Kedar Jadhav

Wicket-Keeper

Wade

Dhoni

India has a brilliant time in Sri Lanka. I have written about it. But then, who hasn’t? Aussies gained back a bit of their pride and form after defeating Bangladesh in the second test. They lost the first and will take a lot of time to recover from that one. India is at home. So one more in Her Favour.

How’s your lineup? Spinners?

Indu

P.S. Please note that the above-expressed opinions are purely the Editor’s. We do not take responsibility, nor can we guarantee the performance of the players. All the best !!!