🏏India vs Australia ODI Series: 2nd ODI on 19/03/23, Visakhapatnam🏏

🏏India vs Australia ODI Series: 2nd ODI on 19/03/23 at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam Visakhapatnam🏏

Rohit returns as India aim to wrap up another series win. Weather could be a factor as the teams move from Mumbai on the west coast to Visakhapatnam on the east.

While in Vizag, it’s hard to miss the makeover in progress. The city walls are being painted and the roads relaid as Andhra Pradesh’s newly declared capital gets ready to host the G20 summits. As a countdown to the event, a city marathon from RK beach was being organized on Sunday morning before it had to be postponed owing to bad weather. The Andhra Cricket Association will hope that the second ODI between India and Australia, another marquee event that the municipal corporation hopes to use for G20 build-up and which is scheduled on the same day as the marathon, doesn’t witness weather getting in the way.

India arrive in the city with a lead but well aware that there wasn't much between the sides in Mumbai. And that on the kind of batting-friendly pitches that are usually dished up in Vizag, Australia's dauntingly long line-up populated with allrounders could hurt them. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, death bowling is something India would like to look at. KL Rahul's form in the middle order, though, would continue to give them hope; it's a long-term World Cup plan that seems to be coming off just in time.

Australia, on the other hand, were beaten at their own game at the Wankhede. On a pitch with nagging seam movement right through, their seamers couldn't quite get the older ball talking like Mohammed Shami did for India earlier. Here in Vizag though, they will be looking forward to getting attuned to the kind of surface that will be closer to what the World Cup games will have on offer. How they assess what's a good total or defend it with a wet ball will be a huge learning curve. With as many eight batters in the side, it would be interesting to see how Australia fare.

Pitch Report

Unlike the first encounter, the second ODI between India and Australia is anticipated to be a high-scoring clash as the pitch at the venue is expected to be batting friendly. As the match progresses, the surface may become a little more conducive to the spinners, while pacers will need to battle hard to fetch wickets. The average first innings total at this venue is 241, in comparison to the second innings’ 211. The chasing unit holds a superior winning record, coming out victorious in 9 out of 14 matches.

Weather Report

The weather at the city is predicted to be partly cloudy on March 19 but rain is expected to stay away. The wind speed is expected to be around 12-14 km/h. The temperature could hover around 23 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius. The humidity is expected to be moderate as it will be almost 56-78 percent.

Team news:

India: With only a day between the games, India had no scheduled practice session on the eve of the game. Rohit Sharma is expected to lead the side after missing the first ODI due to personal commitments. India could rest Mohammed Shami, who had a long bowl in the fourth Test and bowled full tilt in the first ODI.

Probable XI: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik/Jaydev Unadkat

Australia: Alex Carey missed the first ODI due to illness but is expected to be back for this one. David Warner, who was sidelined with concussion and hairline fracture of the elbow, is also likely to return and which middle order batter he could squeeze out is anybody's guess. There's certainly pressure on Marnus Lanuschagne to deliver; the batter has averaged a shade over 33 in his 21 innings at No.4, a batting position Australia are keen to get right.

Probable XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith (c), Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

In the spotlight: Suryakumar Yadav and Mitchell Starc

Shreyas Iyer's absence has allowed India to play Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4. However, he has failed to replicate his T20I success in 50-over cricket. In his last ten ODIs, he has scored only 110 runs at an average of 13.75. With the ODI World Cup a little over six months away, is Suryakumar running out of time to be a serious contender for India's squad?On Friday, Mitchell Starc showed why he is such a force in ODI cricket. His new-ball spell, during which he dismissed Virat Kohli, Suryakumar and Shubman Gill, made Australia favourites to defend 188, before they were denied by KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. Given Starc no longer plays in the IPL - 2015 was his last season - he will like to acquaint himself as much as possible with the Indian conditions before the World Cup.

Stats and trivia: Kohli in Visakhapatnam

• India's five-wicket win in Mumbai extended their winning streak in ODIs to eight matches, and halted Australia's run at six wins.
• Of the nine ODIs Visakhapatnam has hosted to date, India have won seven, lost one, and one was a tie.
• In six ODIs at this venue, Kohli's scores are 118, 117, 99, 65, 157* and 0.
• Rahul has 1945 runs in 50 ODI innings. If he scores another 55 on Sunday, he will be the second-fastest Indian behind Shikhar Dhawan (48 innings) to reach the landmark.
• Smith is 61 short of 5000 runs in the format. If he gets there in his next innings, he will be the joint second-fastest for Australia.

Did you know?

India have won each of their last 8 ODIs while Australia have won seven of their last 11.

The Warner-Head opening combination averages 114 across seven innings.

What they said:

"We're experimenting with a few different combinations, playing eight batters... We understand that if we're going to play eight batters, we still need to play a certain way up until the 35th over or whatever it might be, and then when the time comes we can assert some authority on that with our back-end power hitters." - Marcus Stoinis is open to trial and error in preparation for the World Cup.

"It was fun batting with Jadeja. The minute the left-hander walked in, I got a few loose balls . That happens to the best of bowlers. Jaddu batted beautifully and he runs hard between the wickets. He is in great form and he knows what to do in those situations." - KL Rahul on the win in Mumbai.

Pitch Report | Deep Dasgupta and Ajit Agarkar: An hour ago, it was drizzling and the whole ground was under cover. It's nice and bright now. Sunny and the covers are off. Black soil here, lots of cracks as well. It is so firm and I don't think the cracks will open up or will have a big effect on the game. It's been under covers for a couple of days, so there'll be some moisture. Batting might be a little bit difficult initially but it'll only keep getting better. Still a very good batting pitch. Teams prefer chasing, here more so because it's been under covers.

Australia have won toss & have to Bowl 

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami

Australia (Playing XI): Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith(c), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey(w), Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Rohit Sharma:

Thank you, Raji, for the thread and tagging me. 🤗 

Indians are showing great grit and determination to win the matches with ease. ⭐️