Indians have edge but must beware of Aussie revenge
With Khawaja, Handscomb and Lyon in squad, Aus batting approach should be interesting
looking for a more measured start in order to maintain wickets for a late dash from power players Mitch Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell. India will be looking to stymie this middle-order hitting with the judicious use of their spinners.
Consistently taking wickets in the middle overs is the best way of restricting teams from the mammoth totals that are frequently posted in modern 50-over cricket and India are well equipped to attack Australia’s Achilles heel.
DHONI VS PANT
The main Indian batsmen have now had ample experience of Australian pitches and any talk of being worried by the extra bounce is outdated. India are well equipped to set or chase a stiff target, although they may regret the preference of MS Dhoni over the vastly improved Rishabh Pant.
Pant displayed impressive maturity - particularly as a batsman - during the Test series and when Dhoni does finally retire he’ll be an excellent replacement.
While India will be well aware of Australia’s vulnerability against spin bowling, it will be interesting to see how the hosts intend to approach India’s batsmen. Nathan Lyon has been included in the squad following his successful Test series and it will be a choice between him and the leg-spinner Adam Zampa.
At times Australia have been reluctant to play a frontline spinner in the ODI format but I doubt that will happen with the pace ‘big three’ missing.
India were pulling away like a fast finishing horse in the Test series and will start the ODI format with a distinct psychological advantage.
However, that can change quickly in the face of a blistering innings or a potent spell of bowling and India will need to be at their best to make Meat Loaf’s words come true.
The writer is a former Australian Test captain and is contributing exclusively for
Hindustan Times