India vs Australia : 1st ODI Preview

Finally, the 7 match ODI series is finally going to get underway, with the first ODI being held at the recently constructed Subroto Roy Sahara Stadium in the outskirts of Pune. With the T20 being an extremely close match, the ODI promises no-less action. Let us take a look at the teams.

India

Team : Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Ambati Rayudu, Jaydev Unadkat
The World No 1 ODI team looks pretty strong on paper. The middler order, which was already full of big names, has been strengthened by the arrival of comeback king Yuvraj Singh. His performance in the T20 match was just amazing, and he will play a crucial part in the outcome of this ODI series.  Shikar Dhawan has looked good as usual, but concern will be on Rohit Sharma’s poor international form. He was firing all guns in the CLT20, but a poor performance in his very first international match after break, will concern both him and Dhoni. Nevertheless, the batting looks strong enough to negotiate the "modest" bowling attack of Australia.

As far as the bowling is concerned, India’s young pacers are leading from the front. While Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Vinay Kumar looked good in the first T20, Ishant Sharma was a tad expensive. The spinning duo of Jadeja and Ashwin will play a crucial role in the slow wicket of Sahara stadium.

Australia

Team : Phillip Hughes, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, George Bailey(c), Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin(w), Moises Henriques, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Johnson, Adam Voges, Callum Ferguson

The young Austalian team will be raring to go and give out their best, especially after losing the first T20, wherein they had the upper hand for more than half of the match. The batting looks strong, with Aaron Finch in good form. Good support is expected from Philip Hughes, but it will be interesting as to how he will negotiate spin bowling, which has always been his weakness. The middle order, comprising of Bailey, Watson and Maxwell, look in reasonable form, and preferably, they would like to set a target than chase one in the slow and low wicket of Sahara Stadium.

The bowling look pretty good, irrespective of their pathetic performance in the first T20. While James Faulkner and Mitchell Johnson will spearhead the pace attack, Doherty is their only hope as far as spin departement is concerned. Mind you, both these pacers have gained some invaluable experience of playing in Indian conditions, and it will be interesting as to see what strategy they use against the Indian batsmen.

Pitch :  It is expected to be on a slower side, going by the IPL T20 matches which were played here. Both the teams would like to set up a target, rather than chase one in a pitch which is cracking and under the flood lights.

Possible Outcome : Irrespective of their test form, the Indian ODI team looks quite strong, and they will definitely be the favourites to win the match. But the young Australian team cannot be underestimated either.