Australia vs India 2018-19: 1st ODI - Sydney - Match Preview

Australia vs India 2018-19: 1st ODI – Sydney – Match Preview. After a gruelling Test series, India and Australia will take on each other in the 50-overs format. India has 13 ODIs before the World Cup and would aim to tick the right boxes in the white ball version just like they did in the red-ball variant. Virat Kohli and Co. will be determined to hit the ground running in the three-match series.

Meanwhile, both teams will welcome back white-ball players who would add spark to the team. It is crucial to get a good start to three-match series and both teams will like to get off the mark in style.

Both teams will like to get off to a good start.

India clinched their maiden Test series on Australian soil and will look to carry forward the impetus. However, the past events involving Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul must not have helped the team. In fact, the team would like to tick the right boxes and keep their focus intact.

The other players will not like to veer off the track and should focus their energy where it matters the most, that is on the cricket field. Thus, it is imperative to go out there and play with authority.

On the other hand, Australia will seek revenge for the Test series. They have already announced their playing XI and will like to get off to a good start. Peter Siddle has made a comeback after a long time and he would be determined to grab his opportunity with both hands.

Meanwhile, Shaun Marsh will like to stand tall for the hosts. The elegant southpaw batsman will like to rectify his mistakes of the Test series. Marsh is Australia’s best batsman and it is time that he bats with responsibility. Marsh is also shown the exit doors from the Test squad and would like to prove his mettle

Australia hasn’t had a merry time in the recent past and would like to turn the tables in the upcoming ODI series. They are a side which is low on confidence and they would like to get a shot in the arm.

On the other hand, India is slowly but surely ticking the right boxes before the ODI showpiece. The number four woes have been put to rest by Ambati Rayudu and he will like to hit the straps in Australia. However, the form of MS Dhoni remains India’s, Achilles Heel. Consequently, the former skipper will like to perform at the top of his game on what could be his last tour Down Under.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj will like to fill in the big shoes of Jasprit Bumrah, who had a dream Test series. The bowling unit has done a great job in the recent past and would like to keep the good work going.

Australia vs India 2018-19, Match Preview.

Date and Time: 12 January 2019, 7:50 AM IST.

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney.

Weather Conditions: The maximum temperature is going to stay around 31-degree Celsius. It is going to be the mostly sunny day in Sydney on Saturday and it is going to be a good contest between bat and ball.

Pitch Conditions: The final and fourth Test match in Sydney was a flat deck. Thus, the conditions are expected to be the same and it could be a run fest in the opener of the series.

Australia Playing XI: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (wk) Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle, Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff.

India’s Predicted Playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Khaleel Ahmed.

Stats

Shikhar Dhawan has scored 4935 runs. Thus, the southpaw batsman needs another 65 runs to complete 5000 runs in the 50-overs format.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has scalped 99 wickets in the ODI format. Hence, the fast bowler needs another one wicket to complete his century of wickets.