IND v AUS: Match Preview, Pitch Report and Probable XI for second ODI

By Shreyas G March 18, 2023

India takes on Australia in the 2nd of the three ODIs on Sunday, March 19, at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium in Vishakapatnam.

The home side took a 1-0 lead in the series, winning by five wickets in the 1st ODI at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Winning the toss, the stand-in captain put the visitors into bat on a decent batting track with something in it for the bowlers.

Australia started well despite losing Travis Head early, with makeshift opener Mitchell Marsh batting confidently. However, with Marsh on a 65-ball 81 and the Aussies at 129/2, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami combined to trigger a collapse. Jadeja got one to grip and accounted for Marsh before taking a stunner to dismiss Labuschagne off Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling.

Mohammed Shami then returned to the attack to break the back of the Australian middle order, making the best use of the seam movement on offer, castling Cameron Green and Josh Inglis before accounting for Marcus Stoinis. They were nowhere close to playing out the full 50 overs, getting bowled out for 188 in 35.4 overs.

However, Australia didn’t roll over and gave the Indian batters a tough time in the middle. Mitchell Starc showed his quality with the new ball, making life difficult for the Indian top order. He picked up the wickets of Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shubman Gill, leaving India stranded at 39/4 in the 11th over, with skipper Hardik joining KL Rahul at the crease.

The duo stabilized the Indian innings, and even as Hardik departed for 25, KL remained unfazed and looked comfortable at the crease. The in-form Ravindra Jadeja and Rahul then joined forces to take the game away from Australia, batting responsibly and taking calculated risks to take the team over the line.

Rahul finished with a 91-ball 75, another excellent knock from him batting at No.5, with Jadeja’s all-round efforts winning him the Player of the Match award.

With the series on the line for Australia at Vizag, expect them to give it their all in what should be another cracking encounter.

Match Details

Date: March 19, 2023
Time: 1:30 PM IST
Venue: Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium, Vishakapatnam.

Weather Forecast

It should be a rainy day at Vizag, with thundershowers predicted on the day of the match. However, the rains are expected to relent by the afternoon, with around a 35% chance of showers during the game. We could end up witnessing a rain-curtailed contest.

Pitch Report

The wicket at the Dr. YS Rajashekara Reddy International Cricket Stadium has been fairly high-scoring, with its relatively short dimensions making it an ideal venue for six hitters. However, with the rain pelting down in the last couple of days, the wicket might play slower and assist the spinners.

Probable XI

India

India doesn’t have much reason to tinker with a winning combination. Ishan Kishan making way for the returning skipper Rohit Sharma should be the only change for India. That means it’s another opportunity for Suryakumar Yadav to stamp his authority on the 50-over format.

India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami.

Australia

Despite their middle order collapsing in the 1st ODI, Australia is unlikely to change their team for this match, with their three all-rounders proven performers in this format.

Australia: Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Steve Smith (C), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, and Sean Abbott.

Match Prediction

India seems to have a better read of the conditions and the players to exploit them to the best use. With Glenn Maxwell coming off a long injury layoff and some others playing in India after quite a while, India is the more comfortable of the two sides. They should only become stronger when Rohit Sharma returns and are favorites to wrap up the series with a win.

Prediction: India to win the 2nd ODI of the 3-match series and take an unassailable 2-0 lead.