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India might have been a little overconfident, and well they have paid the price by an ODI loss. Not many cricket experts would have predicted that, but well strange things do happen in cricket. The Indians would be all fired up, and expect no less than a fighting comeback from them in this, 2nd ODI. It’s going to be another fierce battle between the Indian batsmen and the Ausssie bowlers, the one who comes on top might lead their team to victory.

Indian batting looked out of sorts and was unable to make up for their sad bowling performance. Ishant and Vinay need to improve and focus on bowling in the right areas, else India will again have to bat really well to win this match. On the other hand, the Australian batting came good and they posted a huge total on board. George Bailey marshaled his troops really well and the result proved that too.

Team News

The pitch and conditions in Jaipur will suit the Indians better than the ones at Pune. The slowness of the wicket will assist spinners like Ashwin, Jadeja and Yuvraj which could turn the tide in India’s favor. Whatever the playing 11 may be, their bowling must tighten up and prove why are they the bowling line up for the #1 team in ICC ODI rankings. With Mishra and Zaheer waiting In the wings, each bowler must stand up and perform else they would be replaced as the Indians are trying different combinations to find the best suitable match.

The Australians seem to be a batsman short, particularly if Finch, Hughes and Bailey fail. Maxwell and Haddin do make up for the 6th batsman, but with an out of form Watson, Australia just need the extra cushion. Their bowling is the primary asset, and if it performs as a unit like it did in the last game, another victory can be assured. The Indian batsmen will not repeat the same mistakes, but who knows what might happen in cricket.


Probable Teams

India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Dhoni (c)(wk), Ravi Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Vinay Kumar , Ishant Sharma/Jaydev Unadkat

X-Factor: Ravi Ashwin has had a very stable career till date, and it is mainly because of his ties with CSK and his connection with the captain. He has performed decently in the past too, but is being taken to the cleaners lately. With India’s bowling strength being mainly spin, Ashwin must step up and raise his game else Amit Mishra would be called on to replace Ashwin. With figures of 1-17-0, and 2-41-0 in the CLt20 semis and the T20 game against Australia, one might question his ability. He did pick up 2 wickets in the last game, but both came in the later part of the innings and not when his captain needed the breakthroughs.

Australia: Aaron Finch, Philip Hughes, Shane Watson, Adam Voges, George Bailey(c), Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin (wk), James Faulkner, Clint Mckay, Mitchell Johnson, Xavier Doherty

X-Factor: Mitchell Johnson was awesome in the last game, and the way he troubled the Indians with his pace was fascinating to watch. He mixed it up by bowling Yorkers, bouncer, slower balls and the quicker ones too (which clocked more than 150.0 km/hr). He is the main asset Australia have in the bowling department, and he is the one who will be brought on everytime India’s ace batsman Yuvraj walks in to bat. The short ball he bowled to get Yuvraj was an unplayable delivery, and if he can get Yuvi again he will do Australia a more than useful favor.



Expected Result: India Win





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