The India against Australia ODI series continues on Sunday and while this may only be the third match of it already the home side can secure the spoils if they can find a win at Indore.
Australia know they are at the point of no return as far as the series is concerned. For them the equation is pretty simple. They must win the final three matches else they will surrender the series.
India
The good thing for India is that they have won both the matches in the series and they are yet to truly get going with the bat. They have had standout individual performances in the opening two matches but they have not batted as a unit yet. Early wickets have put them under pressure and by modern standards that has led to two moderate scores.
The other positive for them has been the dominance that they have shown with the ball. Their spinners in particular have done the job but their new ball bowlers have got stuck into the Australian line up and exposed it which has been perfect for them. A repeat of that and this could be the day they win the series.
Australia
If the Australians need to search for where they have gone wrong in the series so far it shouldn’t take them too long. They have been wretched with the bat and undone all the positive work that they have produced in the field. That is unlike Australia because often in this format they get on top of the bowling.
While it is to India’s credit that they have not been able to dominate, Australia have to approach their innings better with the bat in their hand. They have no issues with the ball. They have been excellent from the start of the innings and although the odd individual performance has got the better of them they have hung in well.
Team News
You would think the patience of the Indian hierarchy will be getting severely tested by the lack of form of Manish Pandey. He could be replaced by KL Rahul for this encounter.
Australia have to change their batting line up and the potential return of Aaron Finch will certainly help with that. Peter Handscomb is another who could come into the mix to strengthen their batting. Adam Zampa could be recalled with the ball.
Holkar Cricket Stadium
This will be the fifth ODI to be held in Indore. India have played in the previous four and they have won the lot so they will be confident heading into this match. This will be the first time that Australia have played an ODI on this ground.
The scores on this ground have not been as high as we might have expected in the past but I suspect that could change here given the new culture of hitting the ball cleanly. I would be surprised if this is not the highest scoring match of the series.
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Betting
India have been dominant in this series so far but I don’t believe Australia are going to let the series go without a fight so I’m expecting the best of the tourists in this match. That would make them dangerous in terms of winning it but given the improvement that would be needed I can’t be backing them to win.
I do think there is potential to back them to hit the most sixes in the match though. They did that in a pretty ordinary effort in Kolkata last time out and with Warner yet to fire in the series and Finch likely to be back for this match you would think there is even more in Australia in terms of hitting. I’m not so sure India’s top order are hitting the ball cleanly so the odds against on Australia hitting the most sixes appeals to me.
I’ll also take a chance on Glenn Maxwell to top score for Australia. This was his home ground in the IPL for three matches and in those games he made scores of 44* from 20 balls, 43* from 22 balls and 40 from 18 balls. He will know this ground dynamic and how the wicket plays and there is no way that the ground is big enough to contain him. At 7/1 he looks a big price.
Tips
Back Australia Most 6s for a 4/10 stake at 2.05 with LeoVegas
Back them here:
Back G.Maxwell Top Australia Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 8.00 with Ladbrokes
Back him here:
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