India and Australia are all set to lock horns in the series decider at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai today. With the series locked 1-1, both teams will be going all guns blazing to take the series 2-1.
India won the first ODI by 5 wickets, led by Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, who resisted Australia to a below-par score of 188. During the chase, KL Rahul came up with a sublime knock of 75 not out, aptly supported by Ravindra Jadeja’s 45 not out. Both the batters took charge of India’s run-chase after a hiccup and ensured that India chase down 188 swiftly.
Meanwhile, during the second ODI, Australia made a strong comeback thrashing India by 10 wickets in no time. Putting India to bat first, Aussie pacers led by Mitchell Starc dismissed five batters claiming his ninth five-wicket haul in ODIs. Later on, the openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head showed aggressive intent and made a mockery of the run-chase by achieving the target in just 11 overs. Marsh scored 66 runs off just 36 balls that included six fours and six sixes. Head was also impressive with 51 off just 30 balls. His innings included 10 fours.
So far for India, comeback man KL Rahul, has scored the most runs for the team with 84 runs in 2 matches, followed by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja who scored 61 runs in 2 matches. Shifting focus towards the bowlers, then Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj dismissed 3 wickets each. Jadeja took two wickets in the first ODI whereas Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav took one wicket apiece.
For Australia, Marsh as opener has scored the most i.e. 147 runs in 2 matches, followed by Travis Head with 56 runs. Among bowlers, Starc has found his mojo claiming 8 wickets so far. He is followed by Sean Abbott with 3 wickets, while Nathan Ellis has 2 wickets to his name from the Vizag ODI.
If we talk about the head-to-head in ODIs, both teams have played 145 games, of which India has won 54 matches while Australia has won 81 matches. Ten matches have resulted in no result.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (VC), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat.
Australia squad: Steve Smith (C), David Warner (VC), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.