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India and Australia go head-to-head in the 3rd ODI of a three-match series on Wednesday, March 22, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Australia levelled the series at Vizag in some style, registering a walloping ten-wicket win with 39 overs to spare. It was an off-day for the entire Indian side where nothing went right for them, and it’s hard to really pinpoint any cause for their defeat.
Put into bat on a decent batting track with some seam movement on offer, India’s top order was rattled by Mitchell Starc, who was breathing fire. He accounted for the wickets of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and KL Rahul, with Hardik falling to a spectacular catch by Steve Smith off Sean Abbott’s bowling.
While there still was hope as long as Kohli was at the crease, his dismissal in the 16th over left India at 71/6, and from there, it was only a matter of time. Starc finished with a five-fer as India were all out for 121, with Axar Patel running out of partners even as he remained unbeaten on 29.
In reply, Australia went all guns blazing, with both Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head laying into the Indian bowlers. Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami couldn’t find the purchase off the wicket that Starc and Abbott extracted, with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh displaying their full array of strokes.
Australia chased the target in only eleven overs, handing India a heavy defeat and plenty to think about.
While they can write this match off as a freak result, India won’t want to suffer a series defeat at home during a WC year and will want to turn the tide at Chennai. It’ll be an even better morale boost for the visitors if they can turn this series around and win it, despite the absence of their captain. All in all, we’re set for a stellar encounter in Chennai come Wednesday.
Match Details
Date: March 22, 2023
Time: 1:30 PM IST
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Weather Forecast
It should be a hot and humid day in Chennai, with the players likely to sweat relentlessly. While there are mild chances of rain, the game should remain unaffected. The maximum temperature should be 32 degrees Celsius.
Pitch Report
India’s Head Coach, Rahul Dravid, described the Chennai wicket as a good one to bat on, and we’re likely to be in for a belter that offers some turn for the spin bowlers. Expect a high-scoring encounter after a couple of testing seamer-friendly tracks.
Probable XI
India
India could play the local spin-bowling all-rounder in Washington Sundar, but it could be hard for them to drop an in-form Axar Patel. While they could rest one of their seamers and bring Umran Malik in, they’re unlikely to do so with a series on the line.
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel/Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami.
Australia
David Warner is back in contention for selection, and if he is fit for this match, one of Cameron Green or Marcus Stoinis might have to sit out, with Mitch Marsh moving down the order. Barring that, Steve Smith and Co. should field the same XI they did at Vishakapatnam.
Australia: Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis/David Warner, Steve Smith (C), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, and Sean Abbott.
Match Prediction
India has a pretty good record in series deciders, but Australia is stronger than the opponents they’ve faced, with an in-form Starc posing problems to their top order. However, with a batter-friendly deck likely to await the teams at Chepauk, India’s better knowledge of the conditions and the spinners could give them a slight advantage in this fixture.
Prediction: India to win the 3rd ODI and take the series 2-1.
TV and Live Streaming Details
TV: Star Sports Network
Live: Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar
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