Australia vs India, 2nd ODI – Match Preview

A close match is expected when Australia takes on India, but it was a one-way contest in the first ODI of the series at the Optus Stadium, Perth as the home registered a comprehensive seven-wicket win (DLS method). The hosts had the toss advantage in a rain-curtailed match and the visitors’ batting looked at sea in tough conditions.

India would want to come up with an improved batting show as they had managed only 136-9 in 26 overs at Perth. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s much-awaited return could not live up to the expectations as both batters failed to even reach the double-digit mark. The veteran pair would look to make the most of their experience and provide a good start to the team.

India might think of including in-form Kuldeep Yadav in place of Washington Sundar in the playing XI as a wicket-taking option. Yadav will certainly enjoy bowling on big Australian grounds and would want to deliver for the team.

On the other hand, the Australian pace duo of Josh Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc were right on the money on Sunday and would want to once again get the job done for the home team. Hazelwood was the pick of the Australian bowlers, returning with figures of 2-20 in seven overs he bowled.

Head to Head: Matches: 153, Won by Australia: 85, Won by India: 58, No result: 10.

Australia ODI Squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

India’s ODI squad: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal.