India vs Australia, IND vs AUS, Today Match Prediction 17 March 2023

ind vs aus Match Prediction & Analysis

India retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy with a 2-1 series result in the Tests and also qualified for the WTC final. Now, both teams are set to face off in a 3-match ODI series starting in Mumbai. Both teams are on a winning run. Australia have won 9 of their last 10 matches while India have lost only 2 of their last 10 ODIs.

However, Australia will be missing the services of Pat Cummins who left for home before the 3rd Test. Steve Smith will lead Australia in the ODIs and Nathan Ellis has found a spot in the bowling attack.

While there is still no Bumrah in the India squad, Umran Malik and Jayadev Unadkat have made it to the squad. On a good batting deck at the Wankhede, the local boy Rohit Sharma and the in-form Virat Kohli will be the key players.

Australia have a long list of all-rounders in the squad that will add depth to the batting order and variety in the bowling attack. It will be an exciting contest between two equally matched teams.

TEAMS PREVIEW

India Preview

India played their last ODI series at home in January when they defeated New Zealand 3-0. Shubman Gill was the star of the series with a double hundred in the opening game and a hundred in the last.

He will be the player to watch out for along with skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. India’s top-order can make a big impact considering their current form.

KL Rahul continues to be part of the squad and it will be interesting to see where he can fit in the playing XI. Ishan Kishan is another wicket-keeper batsman in the squad who has made a mark for himself with some outstanding performances recently.

He is the likely candidate for the wicket-keeper batsman role in the XI. Jadeja is back in the ODI squad and India will be thinking of having him play as many ODIs as possible in a World Cup year. Hardik Pandya will also play a big role in the middle order. He has been on top of his game and will be crucial with the ball as well.

Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, and Shardul Thakur will lead the bowling attack. India have an economical bowling option in Jadeja, a left-arm orthodox bowler who makes scoring runs difficult with his speed and accuracy.

India Predicted Playing XI:

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

India Actual Playing XI:

Mohammed Siraj, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Lokesh Rahul, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami

Australia Preview

Steve Smith will be back in the skipper’s role in ODIs as Pat Cummins misses out on the white-ball series as well. This will be Australia’s 1st ODI match of 2023.

They played their last ODI series against England in November 2022 when they won the series 3-0 at home. Travis Head, David Warner, and Steve Smith were among the top performers in the batting department.

Josh Hazlewood isn’t part of the ODI squad for the India series. Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott, and Adam Zampa will lead the bowling attack. 

Zampa will be key the wicket-taker for Australia. There are many all-rounders in the squad and we can expect Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, and Cameron Green to deliver a few overs as and when required.

The top order of this Australian lineup looks in good shape. David Warner and Travis Head would get them off to a good start while Smith and Labuschagne can build strong partnerships in the middle.

Glenn Maxwell missed out on the England series and will be a strong contender to be in the XI for this match. He has plenty of experience playing in these conditions and can make a huge impact with his big-hitting abilities. Marcus Stoinis is another key all-rounder to watch out for. Alex Carey would be the choice for wicket-keeper batsman over Josh Inglis.

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

David Warner, Travis Head, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Australia Actual Playing XI:

Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch helps both spinners and fast bowlers. Since the venue is close to the sea, one can expect the new ball to swing. The batters can expect an even bounce and pace and time their strokes well. It will be a sunny day in Mumbai with a high of 31 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

The first ODI of the series will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. It is one of the most popular cricket venues in India that is home to Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav. The average 1st innings score here is 240 runs in ODIs and we reckon a 270+ total would be a match-winning score.

Toss: To Bowl

There isn’t a clear advantage whether a team opts to bat or bowl first at this venue. Teams bowling first have won 14 of the 27 ODIs at the Wankhede. The pitch doesn’t change a great deal and chasing can be a good option.