India vs Australia 2013: Analysis of the Australian team

The intensity meter is always high when Australia take on India. The Indo-Aussie ties have always been great crowd pullers. The series consisting of 7 ODI’s is the 3^rd of its kind being played between the two sides in the last 6 years. On both the previous occasions, Australia won the series convincingly by a margin of 4-2. The Indians would be keen to change the stats. Having played 109 head to head matches, Australia enjoys a winning rate of 59%. The Aussies have a win percentage of 51% even when they play India on their home soil.

The last five encounters has had Australia winning three of them. Also, the last five games played between the two cricketing giants in India has Australia leading 3-2. So, it is going to be an uphill task for the men in blue to get over the line this time around.

Last time, the teams met in a tri-series (also featuring Sri Lanka) where Indians were shown the exit door because of successive losses at hands of the Australians. A lot has changed between the two sides since they last met. The current Indian squad has the likes of G Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag, Pathan and Pravin Kumar missing from the squad, while the Australians will miss the services of the Hussey brothers, Brett Lee, Daniel Cristian, Michael Clarke and David Warner.

Fresh blood and young talent has forced its way into both the teams and they look confident and feel excited prior to the series. The series, which is being dubbed as the battle for “Numero Uno” position is expected to have a thunderous response from the cricket crazy Indian Crowd. India is currently at the top of the ICC ODI charts while Australia follow closely at No.2 spot. India needs to win 3 or more matches to retain the title. Coming fresh from the Champions Trophy Triumph and successive series wins, the Indian team should have an upper hand and are the clear favorites to lift the cup.

A look at the teams:

India: MS Dhoni(w/c), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Amit Mishra, Ambati Rayudu, Mohammed Shami, Jaydev Unadkat.

Australia: George Bailey(c), Brad Haddin(w), Shane Watson, Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Adam Voges, Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Johnson, James Faulkner, Moises Henriques, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Clint McKay, Nic Maddinson.

Analysis Chart:

Led by Captain George Bailey, the Australian team looks like a team in a transition phase, in absence of regular captain Michael Clarke. Inexperienced talent is their strength as well as weakness. With the frequent exposure to the Indian conditions during the Indian Premier League and the recently concluded Champions League, the Kangaroos’ seem to have adjusted well to the heat and dust. The team has always boasted of a quality Pace attack.

Spearheaded by Mitchell Johnson, the pace attack looks very aggressive and disciplined. Mitchell, McKay and Faulkner had a good stint with their respective IPL franchisees this time. Shane Watson and Moises Henriques can chip in with their Medium Pace bowling. Also, 6ft 3in Nathan Coulter Nile is expected to grab some bounce from the dead Indian Pitches.

However, the Australians lack a quality spinner with only left arm spinner Xavier Doherty making the cut.

Coming over to Australia’s batting, the side looks very impressive. On their day, each player is capable of taking the game away from the opposition single-handedly.

Shane Watson is a very dangerous player in Indian conditions and can be any bowler’s nightmare. Adam Voges and Aaron Finch are big hitting batsmen as well. But their record on Indian soil has not been impressive till date. Glenn Maxwell provides the much needed stability to the middle order. He can hit big sixes at ease. George Bailey has been consistent in recent times and his captaincy has been praised a lot. It would be a litmus test for him and Coach Steve Rixon against the Indian side. Brad Haddin needs to improvise on his batting skills if he wishes to keep his place in the side. 21 year old Nic Maddinson would be a batsman to look out for. He comes from a good recently concluded county season. Australians lack good spin play due to the absence of veteran Michael Clarke. Majority of Australia’s previous victories have come while defending totals. Thus, the Indians would have to do really well in restricting them.

Facing spin dominant Indian Bowling consisting of R Ashwin, R Jadeja and now Yuvraj Singh can be an area of concern for them. Combat between the Australian middle order and Amit Mishra (if given a chance) would be an interesting one. With the Indian Pitches expected to support spin and offer less bounce, Australians will have to come up with good strategies to restrict the star studded Indian batting line-up now made stronger by the inclusion of Yuvraj Singh. Both teams are strong fielding units and fielding lapses are expected to be rare.

The comeback man Yuvraj Singh is expected to rock the stage with his all-round cricketing talent.

The series is expected to be a mouth-watering contest. With the number 1 rank at stake, the teams will have to put in their hearts to win. While the Australians will try to seek a 3^rd successive series win against India, Indians will be eager to break the jinx. Indo- Aussie clashes have always been explosive, and this time should be no exception!