Skipper Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the primary ODI on the Wankhede Stadium attributable to household commitments and Pandya will captain the Indian staff within the sequence opener.
The day-night match will likely be Pandya’s first as captain in an ODI, although he’s the common India skipper within the T20 format. He can also be the designated vice-captain for the ODI sequence.
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Collectively as a staff, the main focus will shift from successful the four-match Test sequence for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and qualifying for the World Test Championships ultimate in June towards the identical opponents — Australia — to beginning preparations for the 50-over World Cup the nation is internet hosting later this yr.
Keeping in thoughts that India had gained the title the final time the nation hosted the match — with MS Dhoni’s staff successful the trophy in 2011 — related expectations will likely be from Sharma and firm.
The expectations will likely be significantly excessive as a result of the Indian staff is a distinct beast in any format whereas taking part in at residence. Moreover, the undesirable file of not doing effectively sufficient within the knockout matches of the ICC hounding this group of gamers, the staff will likely be determined to show issues round.
India may even look to profit from the unimaginable begin they’ve had in ODIs at residence this yr, successful all six matches in whole — towards Sri Lanka and New Zealand in two separate sequence.
With 567 runs and three centuries in simply six ODIs, and averaging 113.40, Shubman Gill has made a cracking begin to the World Cup yr and Sharma’s absence within the first match will put extra limelight on the right-handed batter, who’s coming off a high quality Test century towards Australia within the fourth and ultimate match in Ahmedabad.
Batting maestro Virat Kohli had left the lean patch in white-ball cricket far behind, and his 338 runs in six matches at 67.60 point out that the run-machine will be anticipated so as to add extra to the 75 centuries that he has accrued in worldwide cricket up to now.
Kohli’s battle with Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa is likely one of the match-ups to be careful for, with the bowler having had appreciable success towards the star India batter.
Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal bowled in tandem within the nets throughout an non-compulsory coaching session on Wednesday right here, and the 2 leg-spinners can type a significant weapon in India’s assault given their knack of taking wickets and previous file of domination in white-ball cricket.
With 11 wickets in 5 matches, Kuldeep has up to now been India’s greatest spinner, whereas amongst quick bowlers, Mohammed Siraj is much forward with 14 scalps in as many outings.
The Indians will likely be cautious of the truth that the five-time World Cup winners Australia have sufficient firepower of their ranks to tug off wins, regardless of the absence of standard captain Pat Cummins who has determined to be along with his household after the passing of her mom.
Cummins’ absence will likely be felt by the visiting staff because it additionally seems to be to finalise its preparations for the World Cup in October-November this yr.
Like he did within the final two matches of the Test sequence, the wily Steve Smith will lead Australia within the ODI sequence as effectively.
While Cummins and Josh Hazlewood should not accessible for this ODI sequence, veteran batter David Warner and all-rounder Ashton Agar, who each had returned residence throughout the Test sequence, are again in India with the nationwide squad.
Australia additionally haven’t performed any ODI cricket in three-and-a-half months of this yr, with their focus being educated utterly on the WTC ultimate berth.
With that goal achieved, the visiting aspect will wish to method these three ODIs with the very best alternative to arrange for challenges forward below Smith.
Australia may even draw inspiration from the truth that the final time they performed right here, that they had handed India a 10-wicket defeat with Warner and Aaron Finch — now retired — hitting unbeaten centuries.
Teams (from):
India: Hardik Pandya (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohd Shami, Mohd Siraj, Umran Malik, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Jaydev Unadkat
Australia: Steven Smith (captain), David Warner, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
(With PTI inputs)