Australia tour India for 5 ODI Series

1st ODI – India vs Australia
Sunday 17th September 2017

After a difficult Test tour to Bangladesh where the visitors managed to salvage the series 1-1 the Australian cricket team now heads to India to play a best of five series of One Day Internationals. The hosts India are strong favourites to win the series with both home conditions and recent form on their side, but it would be foolish to write Australia off for this series because ODI has historically been the Australians strongest format.

Series between these two teams are fiercely contested

The last time these two countries played an ODI series in India (2013) it was a run feast with the lowest first innings score being 295. India finished ahead 3-2. Many will be hoping for a similar result and while the teams are a bit different for this series, it is very likely to be entertaining and aggressively contested.

Indian players celebrate after downing Australia 3-2 in 2013

With David Warner coming off career defining centuries in Bangladesh his confidence and aggressive batting at the top of the order for Australia is bound to be a feature in this series. Typically in India it is wise to attack the new ball in the first 10 overs before the spinners come into play. With injury to Aaron Finch he is likely to open the batting with rising star Travis Head who will have a great chance to cement his role as a future star of the side.

David Warner and Travis Heads opening partnerships will be crucial

India have their own shake-up at the top of the order with Shikhar Dhawan out with injury and Ajinkya Rahane to take his place alongside Rohit Sharma. It will be very interesting to see how these two handle the blistering pace of Pat Cummins who has finally overcome injuries and come through a full test series in Bangladesh with some impressive form. If there is any pace and bounce in the wickets produced then Cummins is likely to have these two hopping around the crease and ducking for cover.

Pat Cummins taking wickets in the Indian Premier League

The series will possibly be decided by the spin bowlers for both sides, however. For India Kuldeep Yadav could be the main threat as a slow left-arm chinaman. The fact that he is relatively new on the international stage could work in his favour as the Australians may struggle to pick his variations. He is likely to be partnered with Ravindra Jadeja who is always a danger. Yuzvendra Chahal could also get a chance to show off his legbreak googly. Considering Australias recent struggles against spin bowling these three guys will be key to Indias chances of containing Australias powerful batting lineup.

Yadav, Jadeja and Chahal could be Indias triple spin threat

For Australia the promising young Adam Zampa will spearhead the spin attack with support from all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and part timer Travis Head. The pressure will be right on Zampa to breakthrough in the middle orders as the other two are likely to end up cannon fodder to the Indian batsmen well accustomed to sub-continent conditions. On batting friendly surfaces it may come down to the variations of James Faulkner and Nathan Coulter-Nile to contain the Indian hitters in the death overs.

MS Dhoni launching into a trademark late innings power hit

It is bound to be an entertaining series and you can catch all the action on FoxSports 505
The first match will be televised LIVE from 5:50pm AEST Sunday