India vs Australia, India vs Australia 2020, Today Match Prediction 17 Jan 2020

ind vs aus Match Prediction & Analysis

It was expected that Australia would come hard at India in the 3-match ODI series between the two sides. But since India was playing at home, they were expected to have the upper hand. At least for a little while.

However, in the 1st ODI of the series itself, the visiting Australian side completely demolished India by 10 wickets, chasing down the target of 256 in 37.4 overs with 10 wickets to spare. It was a clinical performance and Australia was thorough in all the departments. India, meanwhile, looked scratchy and confused yet again in an ODI. They were too conservative in their approach and it cost them dearly against this strong Aussie side.

This Australian team will only increase their intensity now and India has a task on their hands for the 2nd ODI. Unless they don't sort out their issues and produce a team game, it will be advantage Australia for the second game as well.

TEAMS PREVIEW

India Preview

Team India was bogged down yet again by a conservative approach to an ODI game. While India had a 121-run partnership for the 2nd wicket between Shikhar Dhawan (74) and KL Rahul (47), the two never showed urgency and played too many dot balls to let the Australian bowlers dictate terms. This slow approach paid the team heavily, as the two were dismissed within two overs and the Indian middle-order failed to increase the tempo. Captain Virat Kohli's decision to demote himself to the No.4 slot backfired and Rishabh Pant wasted another opportunity.

Another worrying sign is Shreyas Iyer's inability to score freely against quality fast bowling. What would concern the team management further is the performance of the bowling unit. Australia chased down the target of 256 in just 37.4 overs without the loss of any wicket. The Aussie openers looked completely at ease against the Indian bowlers.

Jasprit Bumrah hasn't looked potent ever since his return from injury. Shardul Thakur appears pedestrian against a quality batting attack and Mohammed Shami has gone back to leaking runs in an ODI game. Ravindra Jadeja yet again remained ineffective in a limited-overs game. Kuldeep Yadav bowled well but didn't have any wickets to show. Captain Kohli would need to inspire his troops to up the ante because otherwise, things aren't looking great for India in both the departments.

India Predicted Playing XI:

Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma(vc), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur/Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

India Actual Playing XI:

Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Manish Pandey, Kuldeep Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Shreyas Iyer, JJ Bumrah, NA Saini, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami

Australia Preview

Australia couldn't have hoped for more clinical performance in their very game of the tour. They were thorough in all the departments and didn't show any weaknesses. Their bowling attack showed why its the best in the world right now as fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Kane Richardson picked up wickets in regular intervals to dent India. Even spinner Adam Zampa bowled well in tandem with Ashton Agar.

This attack really looks potent and their ability to adapt so quickly to alien conditions augurs well for the team for the remainder of the series. Australia's batting was dominated completely by their openers David Warner (128*) and Aaron Finch (110*) who shared a record unbeaten stand of 258 runs to take their team home. These two are the most dangerous openers in ODI cricket at the moment and it was expected that they would leave their mark on Indian soil has given their experience. The Warner-Finch combo will likely be the biggest threat for India in the next two matches as well. Australia also has the likes of Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Ashton Agar and Alex Carey waiting and they would prove quite a handful to this Indian bowling line up.

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins (vc), Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa

Australia Actual Playing XI:

AJ Turner, Aaron Finch, Marnus Labuschagne, Pat Cummins, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, KW Richardson, Ashton Agar, Steven Smith, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot good for batting where the ball comes on nicely to the bat. It also assists seamers and spin bowlers in the middle-overs. The team batting first would like to put up a total of 280-300 at least to be on the safer side. Although that too might be chased down if dew really sets in. The weather for the match is expected to bright and cool.

Venue Details

In just two ODIs at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot scores of 300-plus have already been achieved twice with England’s 325-4 being the highest one. The lowest total here is India’s 252-6 v South Africa. Thus, it is a given that this is a high-scoring venue. Expect some tall totals here in the 2nd ODI between India and Australia.

Toss: To Bowl

The team winning the toss will look to bowl first. This is the winter season in India and there will be dew in the second innings which will make batting easier for the side batting second.