AUS vs IND: 1st ODI Preview – India return in action after an 9-month break

Aaron Finch’s Australia and Virat Kohli’s India will take on each other at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the first ODI. This series also kicks off the start of international cricket this summer in Australia. India are slotted to play 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is, and 4 Tests in a gruelling 2-month long tour. Australia vs India has been one of the most intense rivalries in modern-day cricket.

In the last 5 ODIs, India has the lead with 3 wins to their name. Australia defeated England 2-1 in the last ODI series they played, while India lost 0-3 to New Zealand in February. India won against Australia 2-1 the last time both teams met each other, earlier this year.  Both teams would be aiming to plan for 2023 ODI World Cup, with every series as a build-up to the all-important tournament.

Match Info:

Match 1- Australia vs India

Venue- Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

Time – 9:10 AM IST

Head To Head:

Stat Attack:

Virat Kohli’s record at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is his worst in ODIs across all Australian venues.

India have won only 5 out of their 20 ODIs at SCG.

Aaron Finch is 17 runs away from completing 5,000 runs in ODIs.

Team News:

Australia:

Mitchell Marsh has been sidelined from the ODI series owing to the ankle injury he sustained in the IPL. Steve Smith would make a return to the playing XI after he was out of the England series due to concussion. It is likely that Cameron Green, who was praised a lot by Greg Chappel, might also get a debut in this series. Australia might rotate their pace trio and keep them fresh for the Test Series.

India:

India will miss the services of their vice-captain Rohit Sharma, who has been ruled out from the limited-overs leg and the first two Tests owing to a hamstring injury. Mayank Agarwal is expected to replace him at the top of the order. Hardik Pandya will play an ODI for the first time since the 2019 WC and is expected to restore balance to the limited-overs squad. It is yet to be seen if he bowls in the match or not.

Probable XI: