Following their impressive victory in the Asia Cup, the Indian cricket team is now entering the final phase of their preparations before the upcoming World Cup, which will be hosted in India. To fine-tune their skills and tactics, they have scheduled a three-match series of One Day International (ODI) matches against Australia.
Meanwhile, the Australian cricket team is in a slightly different situation. They recently suffered a setback in the form of a 2-3 series defeat to South Africa, despite initially holding a 2-0 lead. Now, as they gear up for the World Cup, they are determined to make adjustments and improvements to their strategies in order to return to their winning ways
India’s final white-ball assignment before the ICC World Cup 2023 holds significant importance. They are set to face the formidable Australian cricket team, and this series involves several key elements: warm-ups, auditions, and the pursuit of optimal match fitness.
As the cricketing world’s attention turns toward the forthcoming World Cup, the Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma and his colleagues, is using this three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Australia as a crucial stepping stone. These matches will serve as a warm-up, giving players a chance to fine-tune their skills and strategies before the main event. It’s also an opportunity for players to showcase their abilities and secure their spots in the World Cup squad.
Given the prestige and reputation of the five-time world champions, Australia, this series is a stern test for India. As hosts of the World Cup, India is taking every measure to ensure they are fully prepared. In fact, they have even named two different squads for this ODI series, emphasizing its importance in their World Cup preparations. This underlines the high stakes involved in these matches and the intense focus on readiness for the marquee cricket tournament.
India will be without some of their key players, including skipper Rohit Sharma, vice-captain Hardik Pandya, batting maestro Virat Kohli, and the in-form spinner Kuldeep Yadav, for the first two ODIs against Australia. Despite this setback, the Indian team has made strategic choices by including experienced spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and the versatile all-rounder Washington Sundar in the squad for the three-match series.
Interestingly, all-rounder Axar Patel, who suffered a hamstring injury during the Asia Cup, has been included in the squad specifically for the 3rd ODI. However, his actual participation in the match will depend on his fitness and recovery status. This underscores the team’s cautious approach, prioritizing the fitness and well-being of their players, especially with the ICC World Cup looming on the horizon.
Australia has encountered a significant setback as Travis Head recently suffered a fractured hand, a blow that is likely to sideline him for the upcoming World Cup. In the lead-up to this prestigious tournament, Australia has faced challenges in assembling what could be considered their ideal starting eleven due to various factors. Head’s injury has further complicated their team composition.
Despite these hurdles, there is some positive news for the Australian team. Key players like captain Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, and Mitchell Starc have returned to action. Additionally, Glenn Maxwell is set to join the squad soon.
Regarding Steven Smith, it’s expected that he will participate in all three matches of the upcoming series. Captain Pat Cummins is also enthusiastic about his involvement.
However, there’s a lingering question mark surrounding Glenn Maxwell. There’s uncertainty about how well he can perform in the condensed 50-over cricket format, primarily due to fitness concerns. His ability to contribute effectively to the team remains an open question as Australia prepares for the World Cup.
An interesting addition to the Australian squad for this series is Matt Short, who has been brought in to replace the injured Travis Head. Short is a dynamic opening batsman with the added ability to deliver effective off-spin bowling. His style of play closely resembles that of Head, making him a like-for-like replacement.
Short’s inclusion in the squad raises the intriguing possibility of his making it into the final 15 for the World Cup. While it would be a rapid and remarkable ascent in his cricketing career, it’s not something that can be completely dismissed or ruled out. His performances in this series could potentially earn him a spot in the World Cup squad.
INDIA VS AUSTRALIA ODI SERIES 2023 SCHEDULE
| Match (India vs Australia) | Date | Venue |
| 1st ODI | 22nd September (Friday D/N) | Mohali |
| 2nd ODI | 24th September (Sunday D/N) | Indore |
| 3rd ODI | 27th September (Wednesday D/N) | Rajkot |
INDIA VS AUSTRALIA T20 SERIES 2023 SCHEDULE
| Match (India vs Australia) | Date | Venue |
| 1st T20 | 23rd November | Dr. Y. S. Rajashekar Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam |
| 2nd T20 | 26th November | Greenfield International Stadium, Kerala |
| 3rd T20 | 28th November | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Assam |
| 4th T20 | 1st December | Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur |
| 5th T20 | 3rd December | Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad |
INDIA’S SQUADS FOR AUSTRALIA TOUR OF INDIA ODIS:
India squad for first two ODIs: KL Rahul (c), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, R Ashwin, Washington Sundar.
India squad for final ODI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (subject to fitness), R Ashwin, Washington Sundar.
AUSTRALIA SQUAD FOR TOUR TO INDIA:
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR DURING INDIA VS. AUSTRALIA
Ravichandran Ashwin
All eyes will be closely watching the performance of veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the upcoming matches. While Ashwin has been a regular fixture in Test cricket and a constant presence in the Indian Premier League (IPL), his sudden inclusion in the One Day Internationals (ODIs) has raised eyebrows.
The skills required for bowling in the three formats of cricket – Tests, ODIs, and T20s – are notably different, and it remains to be seen how well Ashwin’s bowling abilities translate to the 50-over format. His effectiveness and adaptability in this shorter format of the game will be scrutinized.
David Warner
David Warner, the Australian left-handed batsman, has been making quite an impact in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. His performance in the second ODI was particularly noteworthy, as he achieved a century, playing a crucial role in helping the Australian team amass a formidable total of 392 runs.
What makes Warner even more formidable is his wealth of experience. Over the past decade, he has accumulated a substantial number of runs while playing in various editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Indian pitches. This extensive experience on subcontinental grounds has earned him the nickname ‘the Bull,’ and it’s expected that he will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming series against India. His combination of skill and familiarity with Indian conditions makes him a key player to watch as Australia takes on India.
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill, the 24-year-old Indian batsman, emerged as India’s top run-scorer in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023. His performance in the tournament showcased his tremendous batting abilities, and what sets him apart is his versatility to handle both fast and spin bowling adeptly.
With his consistent form and prowess, it is highly likely that Gill will assume the role of opening the batting for the Indian team in the upcoming series against Australia. Given his recent performances, there are high expectations that he will continue to build on this good form and potentially enter a phase of exceptional performance, often referred to as a “purple patch.” Gill’s ability to provide strong starts at the top of the order will be a crucial factor for India in the series ahead.
WHERE AND HOW TO WATCH THE INDIA VS. AUSTRALIA ODI’S ONLINE OR LIVE COVERAGE?
All three ODIs of this series will be available for live streaming in India on JioCinema. You can also catch the live broadcast on Sports18 channels. The matches are scheduled to start at 1:30 PM IST.
INDIA VS AUSTRALIA 2023 SERIES PREDICTIONS
As for predictions for the India vs. Australia 2023 series, it’s shaping up to be a closely contested battle. Considering the current form of both teams and their respective squads, it’s anticipated to be a tough competition. While Australia has had success in the past on Indian pitches, we expect India, playing on home turf, to put up a strong fight and potentially turn the tables this time around.
It’s clear that the Indian cricket team is fully prepared and enthusiastic about participating in the upcoming ICC cricket event, especially since it’s being hosted in India after a gap of 12 years. With a squad that is not only fully fit but also boasts of quality batsmen and bowlers, India is well-equipped to take on the Australian side. The anticipation is high, and many believe that India has a strong chance of winning the series. The stage is set for an exciting competition, and fans are eagerly awaiting the action to unfold.