Australia seemed to have turned around the clock by a decade in the first ODI against India at Sydney yesterday. Their openers (David Warner and Aaron Finch) set the base after having won the toss and electing to bat. To consolidate matters, Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell completely turned on the heat and seemed unstoppable. In the process, they ended up posting their highest ever total (374-6) against India. Indians on the other hand were found wanting in all 3 departments of the game. They could never really set the tempo and were found behind the 8-ball right from the onset.
Also Read | First Innings Report | Australia vs India, First ODI, Sydney
What does the 2nd ODI mean for both teams?
Australia will be looking to seal the series in this match itself. They are still thinking about the loss which they suffered when India visited them a year ago in 2019. Aussies will surely be looking to avenge that series defeat. The manner in which the whole team performed it shouldn’t be a difficult task. They will come out strong, secure, and confident to do an encore.
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While Indians on the other hand will be looking to put that defeat behind them. They were in a similar position against Australia earlier this year having lost the first game of the 3 match ODI series. But came roaring back in the last 2 to set up a famous series win. India will surely be drawing inspiration from that. Virat Kohli mentioned in the post-match presentation that his team will continue to bat positively and one game won’t alter that mindset. This surely means we can expect an exciting brand of cricket from the Indians.
Also Read | Virat Kohli Is Probably The Best ODI Batsman Of All Time: Aaron Finch
Can Australia wrap the series 2-0 or will India make a comeback?
Looking at the form which the Aussies displayed it will surely take a monumental effort from India to stop the rampaging Australian team. India especially in the bowling department was handicapped by the lack of a 6th bowling option. They are treading on fine ice and Australia clearly will be looking to exploit this weakness provided a chance once again. India will be encouraged by the fact that the team did not give up having lost 4 wickets for just 100 runs and managed to score 308. If one of their top-order batsmen click and scores big any total won’t be beyond their reach and likewise, they could set up a huge total batting first.
Also Read | What Went Wrong For India In The First ODI Against Australia At Sydney?
Team combinations: Australia and India
Marcus Stoinis seemed to have done his hamstring and looks a doubtful starter in this game. Cameroon Green another all-rounder may get a look in Stoinis’s absence. Stumpsandbails doesn’t expect any wholesome change in the Aussie line-up.
India might look to bring in, T. Natarajan to the mix in place of Navdeep Saini. As Natarajan provides that X-factor left-arm angle to the attack. They might also be tempted to look at playing Shardul Thakur at number 7 which will be a bold call. It will be interesting to see how Kohli and company look to address this problem. Australian juggernaut looks difficult to break, but don’t rule out an Indian comeback!
Dream XI Team Prediction:
The Australian top 3 look in red hot form and Stumpsandbails expect the trio to fire on all cylinders once again. If their openers manage to negate the effect of Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, they will be looking for another record score.
Stumpsandbails expects the likes of Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah to come back with a bang. The duo is due for a match-winning performance. And what better stage than to deliver during a do-or-die game for the team. There is an outside chance that India may play T. Natarajan and his inclusion may bring up some interesting results.
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Disclaimer: The predicted XI is completely based on our research and does not promise positive results.
