India vs Australia: 1st ODI Odds & Predictions (17th March 2023)

After an exhilarating Test series that ended in the hosts winning by 2-1 margin, India and Australia will now face each other in the three-match ODI series. The series is crucial given that the World Cup is set to be played later this year in the country. Moreover, Australia will be confident of the fact that they have performed well as the tour has progressed. A series win in India will mean a lot for them ahead of the mega event.

Here are the match details:

• Match Date & Time: March 17, 2023; 1:30 PM IST
• Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• Series: Australia tour of India, 2023

India vs Australia Odds

The focus now shifts towards the 50-over format with India and Australia having a great rivalry here as well. The two sides often lock horns against each other in the format but last faced in a bilateral series back in 2020-21 season. Interestingly, unlike the Test series, India have not been able to dominate the Aussies in the ODIs.

Australia have won the last couple of ODI series against the Men in Blue. Notably, in 2019 when they toured India, the visitors ended up winning the five-match series after being 0-2 down. In the previous ODI series, Australia won the series 2-1 and India will be keen on responding well this time around.

This series also marks Rohit Sharma’s captaincy debut against Australia in ODIs but he will be available from second ODI. Hardik Pandya will lead India in the series opener while Australia too have a stand-in captain in Steve Smith for this series. Pat Cummins has decided to stay with his family following the demise of his mother.

With the opening game set to be played at the Wankhede Stadium, expect it to be a high-scoring encounter. The team that bats extremely well is likely to have an upper hand early in the series.

India

Ishan Kishan is most likely to open the innings in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Ravindra Jadeja is set to play his first ODI after July 2022 which means Axar Patel will have to make way for him. Washington Sundar is expected to be preferred as the second spinner thanks to his batting prowess while Mohammed Siraj returns after resting up in Ahmedabad Test. Among the wrist spinners, Kuldeep Yadav is likely to be preferred.

Probable XI: Ishan Kishan (WK), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (C), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami/Shardul Thakur.

Australia

David Warner is yet to be declared fully fit after sustaining injury during the second Test. If he is not cleared to play, Josh Inglis should open with Travis Head. Rest of the playing XI seems pretty clear for the visitors given that there are plenty of options for them to pick from. With the likes of Marsh, Maxwell and Stoinis back, it remains to be seen if Labuschagne gets a chance in the XI.

Probable XI: David Warner/Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne/Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith (C), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

The surface at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is known to offer quite a bit of bounce to the bowlers. At the same time, it is flat as well and only gets better for batting as the match progresses. The team winning the toss should always look to bowl first and then chase down the score later with dew likely to set in. Last time India and Australia faced each other at the venue, the visiting openers Warner and Finch chased down 250-odd runs without losing a wicket.

The weather in Mumbai will be hot on Friday. Even though the temperature is expected to be around 30-32 Degrees Celsius, it will feel like 40 Degrees, thanks to the extreme humidity. However, things are expected to cool down a tad bit with the temperature going to 27-29 Degrees later in the evening. There is no chance of rain during the match.

India vs Australia: Betting Tips