Chepauk track for India vs Australia game expected to favour spinners

Hosts India begin their ODI World Cup 2023 campaign with a clash against five-time champions Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, October 8.

Chepauk is traditionally known for being a spinner-friendly venue. The track on which the India versus Australia game is going to be played is expected to be a rank-turner and the Australian batters are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations ahead of the potential trial by spin.

Knowing that India might go in with three spinners – Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI, the Australian batters focused on brushing up their skills against spin bowling in the nets. The likes of David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, and Co. faced their own tweakers like Adam Zampa, D’Arcy Short, Marnus Labuschagne, and other local net bowlers.

While big shots came about every now and then, the emphasis was on the rotation of strike and maneuvering balls into hypothetical gaps. On turning tracks, the Aussies know the importance of keeping the scoreboard ticking by sending the ball into the gaps as boundaries could be hard to come by.

The spinners did the bulk of the bowling in the nets on Friday, but the pacers – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Australia captain Pat Cummins also bowled for some time alongside other local pacers.

Australia’s impressive record at Chepauk in ODIs

The ‘Men in Yellow’ might be born and brought up on fast and bouncy tracks at home but they play spin better than some of the other countries outside the sub-continent. Their impressive record at Chepauk speaks volumes of their adaptability to different conditions and also explains why they are one of the top cricketing nations.

In six games at the venue, Australia have managed to win five and lost just once. Meanwhile, India have played 14 matches at Chepauk, winning seven and losing six. One of the games ended in no-result.