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India and Australia clash in the 1st ODI of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023 on Friday, March 17, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
After a well-contested 4-match Test series that finished 2-1 after a draw in the high-scoring Final Test at Ahmedabad, the action now moves to the 50-over format, with plenty of emphasis on this series, with the ODI World Cup taking place in India later this year.
An in-form Australian side will look to carry the positive momentum from the second half of the Test series into the ODIs. Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, and Cameron Green are their in-form players, also expected to play a pivotal role in the 50-over format.
However, Pat Cummins will miss this series for personal reasons, with Steve Smith taking over as the captain in the ODIs. Australia’s last ODI series was a 3-0 win over a weakened England side a few days after the T20 World Cup. They’ll want to get their preparations for the ODI World Cup later this year off to a good start.
India will be without skipper Rohit Sharma in the 1st ODI, with Hardik Pandya set to lead the side. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of action indefinitely with a recurring back problem, with Sanju Samson likely to be added to the squad as his replacement.
India won their last two ODI series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand 3-0 and they’ll want to keep that winning streak going against a much stronger Australian side.
Match Details
Date: March 17, 2023
Time: 1:30 PM IST
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Weather Forecast
We should expect a partially cloudy day at the Wankhede, with a chance of mild showers. The temperatures should be lenient to the players, with a maximum of 29 degrees Celsius.
Pitch Report
The wicket at the Wankhede has always been a batting paradise, with its short boundaries making it a nightmare for bowlers. We should get another batter-friendly surface, with perhaps some assistance for spinners. A 300+ run chase is looking very likely.
Probable XI
Due to Rohit Sharma’s absence and Shreyas Iyer’s injury, India can provide some game time to some players and test their bench strength. Suryakumar Yadav should get another opportunity to prove himself at No.4, with Ishan Kishan opening the batting alongside Shubman Gill.
Washington Sundar should get the nod ahead of Axar Patel despite the latter’s terrific form in the Test series, with Jadeja returning to the ODI lineup.
Umran Malik, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj should be the side’s frontline pacers, with Hardik also providing some overs with the ball.
India’s Probable XI: Ishan Kishan (WK), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (C), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Umran Malik, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami.
Glenn Maxwell’s return to the playing XI is the pick of the team news for Australia, with Cameron Green also expected to make the lineup. Sean Abbott should get a game in Josh Hazlewood’s absence, with Adam Zampa the team’s frontline spinner. Usman Khawaja should replace David Warner at the top of the order, batting alongside Travis Head.
Australia’s Probable XI: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Steve Smith (C), Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (WK), Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, and Sean Abbott.
Match Prediction
This match will be Australia’s 1st ODI since their clash against England in November, with India having more recent experience. And while the Aussies will be pretty high on confidence after their comeback in the second half of the BGT, India should have the upper hand in this game.
Prediction: India to win the 1st ODI of the 3-match series and take a 1-0 lead.
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