India seeking for a comeback
“Captaincy wins matches.” Absolutely True. But you cant say Dhoni is a bad captain, its just, Perth ODI didnt go Dhoni’s way. And yes, Rohit will never ever forget that day, 171* and couldnt make it a winning knock. India were on top on their 1st innings. They started beautifully defending 309, but then came the charge from Captain Smith and Bailey. That partnership was like a nightmare for Dhoni and company. But Dhoni and company must forget that shocking loss in Perth and move on. India looks a very good side, better say a settled side but still they are lacking something in them. Australian bowling too really didnt click in Perth. Lets have a close look at both the side.
Australia cannot be relaxed after their win in Perth. The way Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli dominated the bowling, Aussie pace department has to work hard and find a way to face the Indian Batsman. The two debutants Scott Boland and Joe Paris didnt click themselves in debut. They must create something in Flat-Surface of Brisbane to trouble Indian Batsman and the same thing for Indian Bowlers too. Spin-Duo Ashwin and Jadeja were brutally punished by the Aussie batsmen. Time for Dhoni to guide and take some important decision early. They cannot repeat the same mistake and go 0-2 in the series.
[image source:BCCI.tv]
Player To Watch :-
Captain Steven Smith has been a pillar and a wall of Australian Cricket Team. His form, his temperment, his ability cannot be defined in words. 149* runs, gets a winning knock at Perth was worth watching. He can do the same with Indian Bowling attack anyday, anytime.
Barindar Sran, one of the debutant in Perth, will be watched closely again. The wickets of Warner, Finch and Smith was worth praising. If India can demolish Australian batsman, then Sran can be the man. The top order batsman from Austalia will not take this man lightly.
Pitch and Conditions :-
Pitch in Gabba has a plenty of runs in store, a flat surface, where every batsman would love to bat. The weather condition isnt that promising though. There is a chance for a shower late in the evening, so the match could go for a Duckworth Lewis. The two captains will surely keep this thing in mind.
Team News :-
The loss of David Warner will surely hunt Australia. He will miss the 2nd ODI, so Shaun Marsh is set to replace him and and open with Finch. Mitchell Marsh will also take a rest in Brisbane and probably, Kane Richardson or John Hastings will get a go.
Australia (possible) 1 Shaun Marsh, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 George Bailey, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Matthew Wade (wk), 7 James Faulkner, 8 Kane Richardson/John Hastings, 9 Scott Boland, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Joel Paris
No need of correction in Indian batting lineup, but there may come some change in bowling department. Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneswor Kumar and Barindar Sran, all looked impressive, so they will have a go again. Spinners were punished in Perth, so there is a high chance that a pacer will have a go, replacing Ravichandan Ashwin. Yes, I repeat its gonna be Ravichandran Ashwin- India’s top bowler recently, if India wants a pacer. If it happens, Ishant Sharma / Rishi Dhawan will have a chance to be a part in Playing XI.
India (possible) 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Ajinkya Rahane, 5 Manish Pandey, 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin/Rishi Dhawan/Ishant Sharma, 9 Umesh Yadav, 10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 11 Barinder Sran.
Teams :
Australia: Steve Smith (capt), Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch, George Bailey, John Hastings, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Matthew Wade (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Joel Paris, Scott Boland, Shaun Marsh, Kane Richardson.
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt and wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Gurkeerat Mann, Rishi Dhawan, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Barinder Sran.
Match starts at: 8.50am (IST) 9:05 am (NST) 4.20am (UTC)