New Delhi:
Virat Kohli’s Indian cricket team started their ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 clash on a brilliant note with a dominant win against South Africa in Southampton. The batting was led by a magnificent knock from Rohit Sharma who blazed away to his 23rd century but the damage was done earlier with legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal picking up 4/50. However, the Indian team face a mighty challenge against Australia, the five-time world champions. Aaron Finch’s side has won both their games against Afghanistan and West Indies and in the previous game at Trent Bridge, Australia was boosted by a superb 92 from Nathan Coulter-Nile and a haul of 5/46 from Mitchell Starc.
Heading into the clash, Australia holds an 8-3 head-to-head record against India in World Cups and they will be gunning for more success. For India, reading the conditions and getting the right team composition will be ideal. The Oval was the venue where India lost their warm-up game to New Zealand and they will be determined to ensure they avoid a similar fate.
A lot of focus has been generated on the playing XI of the Indian cricket team. Looking at the short ball woes of the Australian team in the game in Trent Bridge against the Windies, India might be tempted to field more pacers in the side. The Oval wicket has traditionally assisted both pace and spin but India could be tempted to try some combinations.
The batting line-up is settled with Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya and Kedar Jadhav assured of a spot in the game against Australia. If they play with two pacers and two spinners, then Kuldeep Yadav and Chahal might hold onto their places while Mohammed Shami could replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar. However, looking at how the Australian top order folded against pace, Kohli might be tempted to play three pacers.
This means Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar and Mohammed Shami might be included and Kuldeep Yadav might be rested. The Australian team negotiated Kuldeep well in the series in India and the chinaman bowler looked slightly off-colour in the game against South Africa. Kohli, though, might be tempted to field the same side as he might not want to change a winning combination.
News Nation’s probable India XI for Australia game:
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal
