These player battles can headline Australia vs India 1st ODI
What's the story
The highly anticipated ODI series between India and Australia will kick off on Friday, October 19, at Perth Stadium. The match will see the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to international cricket after a seven-month hiatus. While Australia will miss several key players due to injuries, India are coming with an almost full-strength squad. On this note, we look at the anticipated player battles for the series opener.
#1
Rohit Sharma vs Mitchell Starc
Though Rohit isn't India's ODI skipper anymore, he still has the onus to deliver with the bat. As he opens the proceedings, Rohit's battle with Mitchell Starc in the powerplay overs would be enticing. In ODIs, Rohit has scored 157 runs at an average of 52.33 against Starc, who has taken three wickets in their 13 encounters so far, as per ESPNcricinfo.
#2
Virat Kohli vs Josh Hazlewood
Kohli will also want to make a significant mark on his ODI return. However, Josh Hazlewood would be determined to ruin his plans. The Australian pacer has troubled Kohli in the past with his out-swinging deliveries and accuracy. In ODIs, they have faced each other nine times with Hazlewood taking five wickets. Kohli has scored just 58 runs in this battle at an average of 11.60.
#3
Mohammed Siraj vs Travis Head
Another exciting player battle will be between India's Mohammed Siraj and Australia's Travis Head. In Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami's absence, Siraj will lead India's bowling attack while Head will look to give Australia a flying start. Across four ODI meetings, Siraj has taken two wickets against Head, who has scored 72 runs off him so far at a sensational strike rate of 141.17.
#4
Mitchell Marsh vs Kuldeep Yadav
Stand-in Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh has been brilliant against India in the past. The dasher has an average and strike rate of 59.12 and 115.36, respectively, versus the team in ODIs (473 runs). In-form left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav will look to contain Marsh in Perth. Though Kuldeep has dismissed Marsh once across three ODI meetings, the batter has scored 45 runs off him at a strike rate of 166.66.