India v Australia, 1st ODI preview, likely XIs: Australia look to make it three in a row against India

The five-match series against Australia, starting in Hyderabad on Saturday, 2 March, represent the last bilateral ODIs for India before the World Cup 2019. In other words, it’s their last chance to fine-tune plans for the big summer event.

And to that end, the management will look to further try out the likes of KL Rahul and Vijay Shankar. Rahul has been exemplary since his comeback from suspension – he scored 50 and 47 in the two T20I matches – and Shankar will look to further press his case in Hardik Pandya’s injury absence.

As for Australia, they are on song, and will look to capitalise by getting another one over India. They have another five-match series in the UAE to follow after this, and will therefore look to maintain momentum.

Head to head

India and Australia have played, in all, 56 ODIs in India. It’s been a hard-fought rivalry – India have won 25 and lost 26 of those matches, with five of them ending in no-results.

India’s win percentage increases in the last ten years, though, with 11 wins and seven losses in 19 matches. The last time Australia came to India for ODIs, in 2017, India beat them 4-1.

It all points to be India being an increasingly solid outfit in ODIs.

Venue details

Unfortunately for India, the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad doesn’t favour the home side too much. There have been two ODIs played between these two sides at this venue – in 2007 and 2009. India have lost both.

In fact, in all of five ODIs India have played at this venue, they’ve lost thrice. But their last two matches, against England in 2011 and Sri Lanka in 2014, both ended in victories.

The venue aids batsmen – the average first-innings score is 286 – and it’s expected to be a bit overcast in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Players to watch

KL Rahul (India): Since returning from suspension, Rahul has been in stellar form. He seems a lot more confident, and he knows a good outing in the ODI leg of this series is imperative in him sealing a berth for himself in the World Cup squad.

Glenn Maxwell (Australia): Australia’s hero in the T20Is, Maxwell is in a rich vein of form and Australia will likely look to use him in a floating role. If things get tough out in the middle, expect Maxwell to come out and give it a thwack.

Likely XIs:

India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Vijay Shankar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey (wk), Adam Zampa, Pat Cummins, Jason Behrendorff, Jhye Richardson

Prediction

India to win, but it will not be straightforward.