Stats Show India Start Australia ODI In Hyderabad As Underdogs
Credits: BCCI

Team India will be looking to set the record straight when they take on Australia in the first One-Day International (ODI) on Saturday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.  The Men in Blue suffered a crushing and embarrassing two-nil loss in the recently-concluded T20I series. India were the favourites to win the series against the visitors but the failure to find a way past Glenn Maxwell saw them lose their first T20I series at home since 2015. Maxwell had starred in both the T20Is, scoring 56 and 113 not out as Australia won the series.

India will now be looking to avenge their loss in the upcoming five-match ODI series. Despite the loss in the T20Is, India will be the firm favourites to win the upcoming game. The Men in Blue, currently the second-best side in the world, have won series in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in the last one year or so in addition to winning the Asia Cup. Australia, on the other hand, have not won a bilateral series since beating Pakistan at home in early 2017.

Read More  Former Indian chief selector taken aback by Virat Kohli

But despite the recent results, India should not guard against complacency against the reigning 50-over world champions. Another reason to not take Australia lightly is their record at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. This is the first time India and Australia will be playing at the venue since 2009.

Stats Show India Start Australia ODI In Hyderabad As Underdogs
The hosts practising at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.(Credits: BCCI)

So far, both the teams have played two ODIs in Hyderabad and Australia have ended up on the winning side on both the occasions.  In 2007, they had thrashed India by 47 runs before beating the hosts again by three runs in 2009 when Sachin Tendulkar’s monumental knock of 175 had nearly helped India chase down 350.

With history and stats against them, India will be looking to take on Australia cautiously as they look to bounce back after the series-defeat in the T20Is.

 

 

An avid cricket lover, I just love this game more than anything. Writing about cricket keeps me closer to the game.