Australia Playing 11 vs India– Match 5, ICC World Cup 2023

Australia Playing 11 vs India– Match 5, ICC World Cup 2023. Australia take on India in match 5 of ICC World Cup 2023 in Chennai on Sunday, October 8. This is the World Cup opener for both teams. In 12 World Cup matches, Australia have won against India 8 times.

Australia are heading into this World Cup after losing the ODI series against India 2-1. They won the final ODI which was more of a morale-boosting one. Thus they have some sort of winning momentum heading into their opener.

Australia have won two of the last three games they played against India in Chennai. Their previous win was earlier this year in March 2023 where 269 turned out to be a winning score batting first.

The Aussies are an experienced unit led by Pat Cummins. Almost close to 10 players from their squad were a part of the 2019 ODI World Cup squad. Having played against India recently, they are well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian players. They are also well aware of the conditions that they are expected to get in Chennai.

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The Aussies have a few injury concerns. The likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Steve Smith are all returning from injuries. Though fit, they will be concerned about not getting any more injuries. Ashton Agar is missing the World Cup with a calf injury. Australia are also set to miss Travis Head for the first few games as he is injured in his left hand.

Despite missing Head, Australia have a strong core of players who can stand up in tournaments like the World Cup. The five-time World Champions are a different beast in the World Cup and certainly start as one of the favorites alongside India.

Australia Playing 11 vs India– Match 5, ICC World Cup 2023

David Warner

David Warner will open the batting for Australia. He scored three back-to-back fifties in the ODI series against India. He has a very good idea about the conditions in Chennai. The southpaw is playing his third World Cup.

Mitchell Marsh

Mitchell Marsh will open the batting with Warner. In the absence of Travis Head, Marsh will look to give the Aussies quick starts. He is also the sixth bowling option for his side.

Steve Smith

Steve Smith will bat at three. He has five ODI hundreds against India including one in the 2015 WC semi-final. An in-form Smith will be key for Australia. Smith recently played in the series against India and scored crucial runs.

Marnus Labuschagne

Labuschange will bat at four. He replaced Ashton Agar in Australia’s World Cup squad. The batter has been in good form since the South Africa series. He has transformed himself into a good ODI batter so far.

Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell will bat at five. He played in the series against India and was successful with the ball. He took four wickets in the final ODI. Alongside Zampa, he will be the second spin option. Maxwell likes playing against India.

Marcus Stoinis

Stoinis might be preferred over Camerron Green as the seam-bowling all-rounder. Green has not been in good form in recent times and might have to wait for his World Cup debut. Maxwell and Stoinis might make up for the fifth bowling option.

Alex Carey (WK)

Alex Carey is Australia’s first-choice keeper ahead of Josh Inglish and should be selected ahead of him. He is a good player against spin and will be banked upon to counter the threat of the Indian spinners. This is Carey’s second World Cup.

Sean Abbott

Abbott should bat at eight. He scored a crucial 54 in the second ODI against India displaying his batting prowess. He should be selected ahead of Green on his current form.

Pat Cummins (C)

Cummins will return to lead Australia in the World Cup. He will be tested as captain, especially having lost the series against India. Pat Cummins extends Australia’s batting lineup batting at nine.

Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc will be the second Australia pacer. He was rested from the first two games against India. He returned fit in the third ODI and also played the warm up matches heading into the first game. Starc took 27 wickets in the last World Cup.

Adam Zampa

Zampa will conclude Australia’s predicted playing XI for the first World Cup game against India. He is the specialist leg-spinner in the side with fond memories of playing in Chennai.

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