The Indian cricket team is currently in Australia for what is expected to be a long and gruelling tour. The series will feature three One Day Internationals, three T20 Internationals and four Test matches, with the series kickstarting with the first ODI game at Sydney on November 27. The second ODI will be played at the SCG on November 29, while the last and final ODI will be held at the Manuka Oval on December 3.
The Australian team, despite losing the last home series that they played against India in 2018-19 by a margin of 1-2, will be high on confidence as they have assembled a strong team this time around, with David Warner and Steven Smith marking a return. Here are the players who could leave an impression against the Virat Kohli-led Indian team in the upcoming ODI series.
David Warner
The Australian is one of the most dangerous players in the world at the moment, with the ability to tear apart any opposition team on his day. He has a great record against the Indian team, especially in his home country. In 10 games that he has played against India in Australia in ODIs, he has smashed 391 runs with one ton at an average of over 43. He also had an excellent run in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL), where he ended the season with 548 runs in 16 games at a strike rate of nearing 135. The Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper took on the onus of anchoring the innings, and will be the key for Australia against India.
Pat Cummins
Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins might not have had the best IPL seasons with Kolkata Knight Riders, as he ended with just 12 wickets from 14 games at a strike rate of 26, but he is inarguably one of the best seamers in the world in the format. However, he does not have the best record against India, picking up just 21 wickets in 15 games at a high average of 34 with a five-wicket haul. However, his pacey deliveries, yorkers and his bouncers are threatening and make life miserable for the rivals, both in the powerplay and the death overs.
Marcus Stoinis
The all-rounder did not have the best series against England that the two teams played in September, as he managed just 56 runs in three matches along with a high score of 43. Moreover, he was unable to pick up a wicket as well. However, Marcus Stoinis turned around his fortunes remarkably in the IPL, as he turned out to be the X-factor in his team Delhi Capitals’ run to the finals. He scored 352 runs at a strike rate of 148.52 with three fifties and picked up 13 wickets as well, to end the season as the only player who managed to score 350+ runs and pick up 10+ wickets. He is in excellent form and will be the key for the Australian side.
Marnus Labuschagne
The batsman has been in phenomenal form in the Test arena, and has carried forward his form into the 50-over format as well. In ten games, the middle order player has scored 394 runs with one hundred and two fifties at an impressive average of 43.77, which is evidence of the promising start that he has made in the format. He is likely to bat at number four, and will be handy against the slower bowlers in the middle overs.
Adam Zampa
The Australian spinner was the best bowler in his team’s win against England earlier this year, picking up ten wickets in three games at an average of 14.20 and an economy rate of just 4.73. He was also in threatening form when the Aussies had visited India at the start of the year, and has made a bunny of the Indian skipper Virat Kohli. WIth the rest of the Indian batting not the strongest against wrist spin either, Zampa could be a threat in the middle overs, and his skipper Aaron Finch would do well to unleash him in the middle overs to tie down the run flow. He has 20 wickets against India – the most by him against any team in ODIs.
Josh Hazlewood
The pacer will be the key with the new ball, although his last ODI came way back in 2018. He has been affected by injuries of late, but there is no denying the talent that he possesses. In 44 ODIs, the fast bowler has picked up 72 wickets and will be expected to stall the run flow upfront.
