ICC World Cup 2023: India v Australia | Match 5 | Chennai | 08 October | Australia innings

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The two giants of this World Cup will meet in their first game of the tournament.

Predictions?

Squads:

Australia
Squad: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis

India Squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Shubman Gill


==

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7 October - Chennai - India Captain Rohit Sharma pre-match press conference

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Rohit Sharma, Captain of India speaking in a press conference ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India 2023 India & Australia Net Sessions at MA Chidambaram Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Chennai, India.

[Reporter:]

Rohit, first match a big opener, what's the mood in the camp and is everybody fit and fine?

[Rohit Sharma:]

Yeah, the mood is pretty good as it is before the start of every big tournament. We've come into this tournament prepared really well, so quite confident about us skill wise.

And yeah, we're looking forward to the game. Yeah, everybody's fit. Gill is not 100%, but he's sick. So, there's no injury concern. Gill is not feeling well. We are monitoring him on a daily basis. So, we're going to give him every chance to recover and see how he feels. So, he's not ruled out yet.

[Reporter:]

You're generally a cool captain, you talk about all these things, but just the fact that you're a 50-over World Cup captain, what does that mean to you? You've been a Test captain, 20-over World Cup captain. Not too many people have led India in a 50-over World Cup. Just what that means to you.

[Rohit Sharma:]

Yeah, no, it means a lot. It's a huge honour to be part of this World Cup team, firstly, and then being the captain.

50-over World Cup is the biggest sporting event in cricketing history. So, for me, this is the biggest event that I will be part of. And being the captain as well, yes, it's a huge honour.

I've said it many a times that it was always a dream to be part of the World Cup team. And then now to be part of the team and then the captain, I don't know how to describe that because it's a big deal for me.

[Reporter:]

I wanted to know that you've recently concluded a series against Australia, ODIs, but then to take them on in the World Cup is a different ballgame altogether. How do you look at this face off?

[Rohit Sharma:]

Yeah, look, what we've done in the past, I don't think it'll matter too much. You've got to play good cricket on that given day. And Australia being Australia, we know how they play in ICC tournaments. There is a reason that they have so many championships. So, for us, it will be very important that we stick to what we want to do as a team, focus on our strengths, and assess the conditions here. That is going to be quite critical because the pitch can be here slightly tricky, can be challenging. So, you got to assess in terms of how you want to bat, how you want to bowl, what lengths, line for the spinners as well. So, everything comes into play and we played against Australia on this very same venue in March and we were slightly behind in that game. But we exactly knew what went wrong for us. So hopefully we shouldn't repeat that mistake that we made in that game in March. But again, like I said, it's a fresh day, fresh game for both teams. And I'm sure both teams will be raring to go and have a good start to the tournament.

[Reporter:]

Rohit, you mentioned it's a fresh day, and you mentioned the match in March. How similar or different do you expect the conditions to be tomorrow?

[Rohit Sharma:]

I think quite similar. Although in March it was quite hot, I don't think it is that hot now. We trained yesterday in the evening and we trained the day before in the afternoon. So pretty much felt the conditions that were a lot better actually than what it was in March. March was quite humid and hot. It is hot but it is not that humid. It's slightly better.

But the pitch I think I don't know. We still have to wait and see how it looks on match day because the colour of the pitch changes quite a lot here. So, we will wait on that match day and see what we need to do because that is something that we always do in India. We come on the match day and obviously not decide the playing XI, but the guys, the bowlers who are going to play, the batters who are going to bat, they have their way of going about what sort of shots I want to play on this pitch, what sort of length and lines I need to bowl on the pitch like that. So, everyone has their own way of looking at how they want to prepare for that particular game. But yeah, we'll come here tomorrow and see what it is like, because in India every day it's a new day and everything changes every day.

[Reporter:]

For the situations you spoke about, the conditions, the situation you have some very good options in the middle order, like how do you look at it when you read the conditions just suitable for a Sreyash or conditions just suitable for a Surya, how do you differentiate and make those assessments? Like if you could just give us an idea.

[Rohit Sharma:]

Yeah, I mean, look, like every seven - eight batters that we have in the squad, they bring different dimension to our team. They bring a different sort of style to our team and that is why they have been picked to play the game, play the tournament for us and that is what you want. I always spoke about being flexible, being a bit versatile in how you want to play. So, all of these guys bring that kind of quality with them. And look, in terms of playing in these conditions, there's huge amount of experience. They've played so much cricket, they know how to play. It is not for me to assess that; it is for them to assess that in the middle and then you know give them that freedom and clarity that this is what we want from you know how you do it. It is completely up to you but this is what we want from you in terms of role clarity from number one to number seven, eight, whoever that is. So as long as you give them that clarity, freedom, then it is up to them to plan how they want to do it. And having said that, there is complete backing from the squad, complete backing from the team management to that particular individual. If he goes out and does what the team has asked him to do, there is complete backing on that for the players.

[Reporter:]

You were magical as a batsman in the last World Cup with five 100s. Now you are Rohit Sharma, the batsman, has to live up to his expectations or the benchmark that he had set for himself in 2019, plus the pressure of leading at home. How are you sort of handling this dual pressure the - premier batsman as well as the captain and that to leading at home?

[Rohit Sharma:]

Yeah, both are different things - that is where the experience of being here for 16 years, playing the sport comes into picture. How you handle that pressure, handle that moments during the game. The 16 years of cricket has taught me that, how to go through the moments and how to handle those pressures and not to let that pressure come on to the team.

I'm sure at certain stages of the tournament some players will go through pressure the teams will go through pressure, but that is where we need characters. We need strong mentality from the players to come out and say that - OK, pressure is not leaving us, but I'm better off focusing on what I need to do for the team, rather than thinking about - there's too much pressure. Pressure is always there. We are Indian cricketers. We are supposed to go through pressure times, pressure situations. Everyone is very well aware of that. So, there's no point talking about pressure, pressure, pressure because everyone knows about it because they play cricket in India. Any tournament they play, you know the pressure is always there.

So, I think keeping that aside, it is important that, you know, we try and do what is required for the team, external factors aside, but try and focus on what you want to do. That is how, that is me telling you, I'm sure every individual has their own plan of going through that period and handling that period because I see a lot of strong mental characters in this squad Who have come through hard ships, you know, in their career. Nothing has been given that easy to any one of them. So, they've gone through their tough times, they've spent their hard times in the middle, and achieved what they've achieved today. So, and World Cup being a different ball game, yes, it's World Cup, but we want to treat this as a tournament for us as we come against different opposition, we focus on that opposition and then move on from there, not worry about what lies ahead, what's there for us in the future and things like that. That can only add pressure. But how you can cut down the pressure is just focus on what's coming up for us tomorrow and then keeping it very simple.

And for me as a batter, yes, I want to focus on what I can do the best for the team, whatever is required, whether it is giving good starts, batting as long as possible. I'll try and do everything that is required for the team.

[Reporter:]

Australian skipper has said that they play more white ball cricket here than even in Australia. So how much of this familiarity, and also you know each of them, so how much of that factor will come into play?

[Rohit Sharma:]

I know. I mean, it's absolutely true that they play a lot of cricket here. A lot of T20 cricket, recently played three ODIs against us. And before IPL, we played three ODIs again. So, in terms of you know how they plan their schedule it's pretty good and they know what is at stake, World Cup coming in India so we got to make sure that they play as much ODIs as possible in India and against India. So, it helps them, obviously. It's a good thing that they've done. But again, the conditions are not going to matter too much to any team, because

a lot of these teams have come here and played so much cricket. So, in terms of the alien conditions, I don't think it's there anymore. You just have to play good cricket and it is the same anywhere you go now. Honestly, all teams are playing so much cricket everywhere around the world. So, I don't think any team would feel that oh where am I? I have never played you know on pitches like this before. So, I don't think that's the case anymore.

[Reporter:]

Does it worry you at all with the ill health of Shubman Gill? You said that you know he is improving but does it worry you at all?

[Rohit Sharma:]

No, it doesn't worry. I mean obviously he is sick. I feel for him. But in terms of, you know, me being the human being first, I want him to get well, not the captain thinking, oh, I want Gill to play tomorrow. No, I want him to get well he you know he's a young guy he's got fit body so he'll recover he'll recover quick

[Reporter:]

Could we see you playing three spinners in these conditions How much does Ashwin's batting come into it or is playing the three quicks an advantage for your side?

[Rohit Sharma:]

Yeah, I mean that's the luxury we have where we can afford to play three spinners because

I don't really consider Hardik Pandya as just a seamer. He's a proper fast bowler, who can crank up good speed. So that gives us an advantage. That gives us that luxury of playing three spinners and three seamers as well you know so there's a possibility that we can play three spinners on this pitch with three seamers as well, so it gives us that balance gives us that number eight batting option as well, so yeah like I said will we have to come here again tomorrow afternoon and see what the pitch looks like but yeah, three spinners is definitely an option

[Reporter:]

Rohit, you guys have been a great generation of cricketers but is there a sense of unfinished business about this ODI World Cup? If you probably don't win, there is probably - there will be a sense of unfinished business. And does a sense of desperation probably creep in, in some of the super seniors who have done so well for so long?

[Rohit Sharma:]

Yeah, I mean look, you heard the great man say that so many times that you know, until he wins the World Cup, he's got a bit of unfinished business. I'm sure you know who I'm talking about.

So, it's the same for us as well. You know, you want to win the World Cup, It's the biggest prize that you can have in your career. But again, there's a way to do it. There's a procedure that you need to follow. There's a process to it.

In desperation, you can do so many things that can lead into so many other things as well. So, it's good to be desperate. It's good to be hungry. But you've got to find that balance, right? Balance to stay desperate and stay hungry for, scoring runs, lifting the trophy, winning games, whatever that is. But there is a balance that you need to find.

You cannot get way too ahead of yourself because that can lead into something that you don't really wish for.

You've got to find nice balance and luckily, I mean, for us, the seniors, they play a lot of cricket, so they know how to stay under that, you know, under that radar and keep doing things that they are supposed to do.

And then obviously we have to leave a lot of things to Almighty as well because we need that luck, a little bit of luck in the tournament. I hope we get that luck. But yeah, it will be nice to win a World Cup.

[Reporter:]

A World Cup is a very long tournament, you have to play nine league matches in it. And momentum is very important. We have seen that in the last 2 World Cups, we have topped in the league matches, but you know, when the knockout stage came, there was a problem. So, this too, considering the momentum, moving the momentum forward, how big a challenge this is for you as a captain?

[Rohit Sharma:]

No, see, last time also when we played the World Cup in 2019, it was a similar format.

And there are a lot of guys from that team in this team. So, these back-to-back matches, different opponents - I don't want to give an example of IPL because we play back-to-back matches in IPL as well. It's a long format. It's a T20 format, this is 50 overs. It's a bit different because it's a long game. It takes a lot of time to recover.

But in such tournaments, it's very important for you to focus on one match. I keep saying this, you can't think too much ahead. You have to think about tomorrow's match and how you can do well. Then you take it forward. You have to look at what you did well in the last game, who is the next opposition coming, what combination you have to play against them, what will be the pitch there, all these things. So, we will have league matches in nine different venues, different conditions, different opposition. So, I can't tell you my combination after a month. Our team's focus is on tomorrow's match. After that match, we will think of what to do next and take it forward.

[Reporter:]

As a captain in a format like this where you're playing nine matches with nine different teams at nine venues, do you believe that your best 11 should play every match in a World Cup as some teams like to do? Or do you feel that it should be horses for courses and you will like to change your team according to the venue and the opposition?

[Rohit Sharma:]

Yeah, no, see, sir. We definitely want to be a team where we want to play the best 11, but you can pick your best 11 based on the conditions that you have in front of you. Where there is a bit of assistance to the slower bowlers, you need to bring in that slower bowlers. So, your core of the team will remain the same. Your eight, nine, ten players will remain the same. There will be one or two changes here and there, which you've got to be ready to accept and take it into your stride and move forward. And that is the communication that we've had with the players at the beginning, and everyone's ready to do it. You know, it's the World Cup.

So, no one should have personal preferences. It's the team that matters and the team's goal that matters. So, I think without me talking in the team changing room too much about it, they should realize that, OK, this is a bigger deal. So, we have to focus on whatever the team wants and do it for the team.

[Reporter:]

[inaudible question]

[Rohit Sharma:]

I felt very nice, I just saw it being declared when I came in from the dressing room. I've never won a gold medal. But our team, the other team, has done it. So, I want to congratulate them. This is a big moment for our country. Winning a gold medal is a dream. We always used to watch on TV, gold medal. Today our cricketers, even women's team has won gold medal. So, salute.
 
7 October - Chennai - Australia Captain Pat Cummins pre-match press conference

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Pat Cummins of Australia spoke to the media during an Australian press conference at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India 2023 at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Chennai, India.

[Reporter:]

When you take on the host, what are the factors that you have to look into, especially to put on a good start?

[Pat Cummins:]

Yeah, I think there's a couple of obvious ones. The home crowd's going to be noisy and very one-sided, which is nothing new, and it's great. Also, they've played a lot of cricket in these conditions, so it's always tough playing against someone on their home grounds, but with that also comes pressure. There's a billion fans that are going to be watching closely, cheering them on. Yes, there we go.

[Reporter:]

You've been Ashes' captain now, you've been Test captain for a while, you've been ODI captain for a while, but just being World Cup captain, there haven't been too many who have done that for Australia. Has that sunk in and what does that mean to you, to be World Cup captain?

[Pat Cummins:]

Oh, it's really cool, first of all. Yeah, I think the most exciting thing about a World Cup is it is a campaign. It does feel like you're there with 14 other guys and you're on a journey to try and make the next couple of months as special as it can be. So, I love that. There's no forward planning and you're trying to manage different formats now. We're here for a World Cup and everyone's fully focused on that. So, I've really enjoyed that and the boys have been awesome so far and yeah, it's my third World Cup and first one is captain. They're all really special.

[Reporter:]

World Cup memories - are there any that stand out for you?

[Pat Cummins:]

Yeah, I mean ‘99, I didn't watch it live, but seeing those replays over and over again of the run out against South Africa, them standing on the Lords changing room balcony. 2003 I remember watching a little bit of Andrew Symonds, remember he had a great game and watched that one. And then 2011 was just as I started playing for Australia, so I saw a little bit of that, but I mean 2015 I still say is basically my career highlight. I didn't play in the final, I played a couple of games, but being part of that was just something special.

[Reporter:]

Pat, how is Marcus Stoinis – is he available for this game? I suppose as an extension do you have a team for us yet?

[Pat Cummins:]

We'll announce a team tomorrow at the toss. Stoinis, yeah, still touch and go. He's going to have a run out this afternoon, but probably up against it, he's got to jump through a few hoops. So, yeah, we'll see.

[Reporter:]

And just in terms of one-day cricket and where it's at, heading into this tournament, just What's your view of where ODI cricket is at as a format? Obviously, the World Cup is still huge, but do you think it has relevance outside this? I know Mark Nicholas, the MCC president, has said that it shouldn't be played outside world events.

[Pat Cummins:]

Yeah, it's a tough one. There's so much cricket on that you've seen over the last few years, you've got to prioritise different things at different times. So, there's been times where we've missed white ball cricket to focus on Tests. There's times where we've missed one day cricket to kind of focus on T20. And in a World Cup year like this we've probably more tended to rest from the T20s to get ready for a one-day World Cup so it's tough there's more and more cricket going in the calendar so there's going to have to be some give and take yeah, it's hard to know.

[Reporter:]

How much of the ODI series in March and last month helped you in this World Cup? Do you think Australia have the edge when it comes to head-to-head in World Cups with eight wins and four losses?

[Pat Cummins:]

It's no doubt helpful playing a lot here, not only for Australia but IPL. I've probably played more white ball cricket in India than I have in Australia over the last 10 years, so it's conditions we know really well. And I think the positive thing is that we've played some really good one-day cricket against India over here over the last few years so we can draw back on that and that can be front of mind. In terms of a World Cup record, we probably can't take too much credit for the World Cup wins in 1980s and 90s and early 2000s, but we're really happy with how we've played over here lately.

[Reporter:]

Your team has a lot of all-rounders in teams - like you, England, New Zealand. Going into this tournament, there's a lot of talk about all-rounders being the deciding factor of this tournament. So having so many all-rounders, how much does this flexibility help you?

[Pat Cummins:]

It's a luxury. I think in one day cricket more than any other formats you need all-rounders - you've got to try and find 50 overs. So, we feel really blessed to have people like Cam Green, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis in the side. They're like gold it means you can bat deeper so we feel in a really good place.

[Reporter:]

Those who have seen Australian teams playing for the last thirty years those who have seen on television or otherwise on the ground, have seen a special character of Australians being very aggressive, a little brash, sledging here and there, but this generation has mellowed down a bit. So, if the answer is yes, is it good or bad?

[Pat Cummins:]

Yeah, I don't know if it's for good or bad. I'd say it's more a reflection of who we are as people. You know, in any team you've got different characters. Most of our guys are pretty chilled out. So, I'm always proud seeing the players out in the field be really similar to the players who they are or the people who they are off the field. And yeah, I've been really proud over the last couple of years in all formats. You've seen a lot of that. But it is a World Cup. I think you're going to see some boys get fired up at different times. We're all passionate. We're all ridiculously competitive. So, I never really mind if a couple of our boys are puffing the chests out and getting themselves into the contest.

[Reporter:]

Mitch Marsh has been among the most prolific six-hitters in ODI cricket this year, almost on the same level as some of your opponents like Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Having followed his career from close quarters, what do you think makes him such a powerful six-hitter?

[Pat Cummins:]

Oh, I mean, first of all, just his size. He's huge. And he's always been a power hitter. I think that's his most natural kind of trait as a batter. He's super powerful, can clear the ropes easily. He had an amazing T20 World Cup in 2021. And over the last couple of years, he's had a few injuries along the way, but when he has played, he's been top quality. So, he's one of those guys that is intimidating to bowl to. Top of your mark, you look and it's a big human on the other end and you know he can hit the ball a long way. So hopefully you see plenty of that this series.

[Reporter:]

On the all-rounders we saw Mitch Marsh bowling back in the game [inaudible] How do you plan to manage those all-rounders? Is it a case that Marsh could be available to bowl in one game, Stoinis or Green in the next, or do you plan for them to be available to bowl in every game?

[Pat Cummins:]

The plan at the moment is for whoever is playing to be on the table to bowl. Obviously if things shift then we'll manage that. The good thing is I think each game between Maxwell, Marsh, Green, Stoinis, I think we'll have lots of bowling. So, there might be some games where one or two of the all-rounders either don't bowl or bowl very little. Just the way the overs pan out. But yeah, Mitch is really good and all on track. So yeah, that's kind of been the design to hold him back from South Africa and start building up for the World Cup and it's yeah, he's going really well.

[Reporter:]

Over the years we have been used to – Whenever an Australian team comes to the World Cup big headlines, like something like - Mitchell is a star, the top order should be aware of that, or we will thrash the Indians, something like that. Was it because of the characters; the Warnie’s, the Ponting’s, from the 99 to 2007 phase, those characters, that's why we see that slightly. Is it because of the characters now you have in the team from compared to the previous generation?

[Pat Cummins:]

Yeah, I'd say so. I mean, times change as well. That's, 20 years ago, so, you know, the world changes a little bit. But I think, as I said, that probably doesn't come naturally to a lot of our guys. We want to go about our work quietly and when you're out in the field, you'll see the boys be just as aggressive. Davey Warner and Mitch Marsh are aggressive when they go out there and play, but we don't have to show it in getting in the opposition's face and things like that. But, yeah.

[Reporter:]

What about spicy quotes ?

[Pat Cummins:]

Spicy quotes? Mitchell Marsh is huge. There's your headline.

[Reporter:]

Adam Zampa has obviously been managed pretty carefully because he's so important. How's he tracking? I saw training - look like he had a bit of a gash on his face.

[Pat Cummins:]

Yeah, he swam into the pool wall apparently. He said he had his eyes closed and thought he was swimming in a straight line and swam into the step in the pool. So, looks impressive. Yeah, no, he's all good. He's just a little bit sore. So, we've had a pretty quiet week or two. But yeah, he's right to go.

[Reporter:]

We saw David Warner bat right-handed against Ashwin. So how do you see the prospect of him batting again against Ashwin, Jadeja and of course, Kuldeep? How do you see spin play for your batters?

[Pat Cummins:]

Yeah, they're a good bowling lineup, especially here in home conditions. So, they're going to be challenging. The good thing is we've played them a lot. So, our batters will have their own plans. And again, we've had success against them a few times. They've bowled well against us a few times as well. Yeah, Davey, we'll see if he bats right-handed or left-handed. Yeah, he's probably better left-handed, I reckon, but we'll see how we go.

[Reporter:]

Talking about your spin bowling, obviously with Adam missing out, the onus is going to be on Zampa as well as Maxwell. And coming to Maxwell, do you think it would be convenient for him to bowl 8 to 10 overs per match, especially in these conditions?

[Pat Cummins:]

Yeah, I think so. You know, again, it's good that we've got plenty of bowling, but yeah, we've seen Max, he's a front-line spin bowler. In the 2015 World Cup, he was the sole spinner in basically every single match I think other than one so really happy with how he's going. I thought he bowed really well in that third ODI against India So yeah, we've got 20 overs of spin out there if we need it.

[Reporter:]

Glenn Maxwell [inaudible] Is he working on new variations? What do you think?

[Pat Cummins:]

He’s always working on some things, yeah even if it’s not variations, its different fields, different ways you bowl - and yeah, I think with age and experience as well, you just get a bit more clever and you need that as a spin bowler. So, he's got an amazing knack of if he misses out with the bat, he contributes with the ball and vice versa. He's always in the game. So yeah, no doubt expecting a big tournament from Maxi.

[Reporter:]

Just want to know from you the importance of starting the tournament on a good note, especially against teams like India who are also the hosts of the competition.

[Pat Cummins:]

Yeah, every game is super important in World Cup, you can't take it easy in any of them. And what a better way to start than India, in the home conditions you'd imagine, they're probably tournament favourites. So yeah, if we win tomorrow that's awesome, if not, well, we know where we stand and maybe we need to change a few things but or you know double down on what we do well but yeah, it's exciting so yeah it should be a cracker.

[Reporter:]

Though most of the Indian wickets look flat on their surface but ball stops a bit do you think that is going to be one of the major challenges

[Pat Cummins:]

I hope so as a bowler. It's funny over here - you get the full range of wickets you get some better you know spin or stop and yet 250 might be a good score and then there's other wickets where you feel like you need more than 350, cause it's just so true. So, yeah, I guess one of the things I do like about playing in India is over the course of 50 overs it does feel like the wicket and the ball changes a bit. You know in Australia it can be pretty flat the whole 50 overs, here it does go through different phases.

[Reporter:]

You spoke about the number of seam bowling all-rounders with Green, Marsh and Stoinis. How do you strike that balance between them and maybe having enough specialist pacers too because you can't fit all of them in?

[Pat Cummins:]

Yeah, that's it. I guess the luxury about the all-rounders is they do make the side as the top seven batters. You know, they are genuinely pick themselves from their batting and their bowling is kind of a bonus. So, yeah, we're lucky that we're going to have seven or eight bowlers to choose from, but no doubt you'll see more from the specialist overs, 40, 50 overs of specialists, and the all-rounders will chip in when they need to.

[Reporter:]

This ground is considered as the happy hunting ground for Australia from the 1987 World Cup onwards. And also, the first match in this ground was during that ‘87 World Cup between Australia and India. Do you think you will keep that legacy in tomorrow's match?

[Pat Cummins:]

Yeah, hopefully. Yeah, it's a ground we've played quite often. It feels like whenever we tour India, there seems to be a game here. A few of the guys have played for CSK as well, or you know, a fair bit here for IPL. So yeah, it's a nice ground and we like playing here. Hopefully we keep that going.

[Reporter:]

I just wanted your assessment of what the pitch looks like. In March, 269 turned out to be your winning score here, and it took spin progressively through the game. Do you reckon it's going to be somewhat similar and obviously different to the ‘350’ games that you guys have been playing recently?

[Pat Cummins:]

Yeah, I hope so. Yeah, hard to know really. We'll obviously have a look tomorrow as well. We're still a day out. But yeah, it does seem like that's a bit of the trend is as the game goes on, it does spin a little bit more. But yeah, it looks like a good wicket. Hard, bit of grass. But yeah, I'm probably the wrong person to ask, because I'm terrible at reading wickets.

[Reporter:]

But how do you see as a captain, when you approach the middle phase of the 50-over spot, basically 11 to 40, do you see it as important for teams to actually go out and pick wickets or do you think okay, let's go safe for the defensive bowling option? How do you see captains in general going to use this - especially you being a bowling captain? So even if they got eight runs per over, it's OK to take four wickets so that you pull them back? So, do you see a lot of innings being bowled out early in this tournament? And do you see it dew when you practice?

[Pat Cummins:]

Yeah, I mean, first of all dew – there was a little bit two nights ago when we trained at night. So, it's hard to know how big a factor that is. You know, in T20 it's quite a big factor. In one day, cricket it's a bit longer, so maybe the ball gets a bit softer or, it's not as big a factor as T20, but it's hard to know. Yeah, in terms of that middle phase, I think that's the interesting part of ODI cricket, because there's a few ways you can go about it. You know, as a captain, the questions you want to ask are, are you trying to get out overs from your fifth or sixth bowler, or do you try and front end it and bowl your main guys trying to go after those wickets? But then if it doesn't work out your last 10 overs might be a bit more exposed. Sometimes if the ball's not swinging or spinning, maybe you try and just build pressure and get wickets that way, hopefully. So, it's, it is an interesting phase. You've got to try and think a little bit differently. So, it's probably one part of the capacity I do enjoy.
 
Let’s set the World Cup on fire.

Do it for Bharat.
 
Guys pls see Rohit's explanation in post #2 on Gill

Best to read posts.

REcovery period for Dengue is minimum 1 week so the say. So i will be surprised if he turns up tomorrow. Dravid also said along the same lines.
 
Australia comes with solid plans usually. Once A ustralia reduces India to 5 down with such a freaking long tail India will end up putting a below par score. India cannot have anyone failing from the top
 
Rohit
Kishan
Kohli
Iyer
KL
Pandya
Kapil
Ashwin
Bumrah
Kuldeep
Siraj
 
Australia beat India at Chennai not long ago> India was coasting along chasing a modest total. Enter Zampa. Completely turned the game on its head.
 
Didn't Mohammad Amir also suffer from Dengue fever during his u19 days in Malaysia? His condition was very serious as far as I can remember.
 
Sort your fantasy teams , still time!
 
Australia only need to take 5 wickets. Aware of their long tail, i would be surprised if India go aggressive from the start. Unless they bowl first and restrict Aus to under 250, India stand no chance.
 
Will bat first ??? Isn't it

Yes I think so. In Chennai, the last eight first-innings scores in ODIs have ranged from 227 to 299, with the team batting first going on to win six times.
 
Yes I think so. In Chennai, the last eight first-innings scores in ODIs have ranged from 227 to 299, with the team batting first going on to win six times.
But rain is also predicted so team have to think about it .
 
No Gill?
Bumrah bowling within himself.

India will get hammered lol.
 
India will go with three spinners.

It all will boil down how Indian batsmen handle Aussies pacers , India will need to make sure not to give early wickets because Australians have only one good spinner Zampa.
 
Big game.

Hopefully, it's an entertaining one to give the tournament a boost.
 
Gill has become such an important player for Indian team after Kohli. His absence will be surely felt.

This means Ishan will open with Rohit. I doubt Kushan’s hitting will work against Starc and Cummins. India will be 1 down in no time.

I prefer SKY in this game. He seems to like Aussie bowling.
 
My plan was to pick Gill for my fantasy team today and then make him the captain for the rest of the tournament. Hopefully he will recover in time and be available for the next game
 
Gill has become such an important player for Indian team after Kohli. His absence will be surely felt.

This means Ishan will open with Rohit. I doubt Kushan’s hitting will work against Starc and Cummins. India will be 1 down in no time.

I prefer SKY in this game. He seems to like Aussie bowling.
India has to go with a leftie I feel if they want to win
Have more lefties to counter starc and hazlewood.
 
If India includes more than three specialist bowlers in the lineup, I find it unlikely that India will emerge victorious
 
In my opinion, if India wants to restrict Australia, in case Australia is batting first, to a low total, then their spinners will come in handy on that Chennai pitch, and as far as Australia is concerned, they need to focus more on their all-rounders, as they have good all-rounders in the team like Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, and Maxwell. These are the players that can come in handy when they are batting against India on that spin-friendly track.
 
Less than 40 minutes to go but lots of empty seats at present. Hopefully we will see a full house today.
 

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Win the toss and win the match. That's what is going to happen in this world cup.
 
Already visible cracks on the pitch. 250-260 score is defendable here.
Australia has advantage as Indians are very vulnerable against spin.
 
Already visible cracks on the pitch. 250-260 score is defendable here.
Australia has advantage as Indians are very vulnerable against spin.
8-4 world cup record. Aus vs india

But since 2009, India have won more odis vs australia than any other country barring south africa.

H2h favours india in terms of wins and losses since 2009.

India's poor ability vs spin makes aus favourites but if india show up they could win this.
 
Australia won the toss and they opted to bat first.

Teams:

Australia XI:
D Warner, M Marsh, S Smith, M Labuschagne, G Maxwell, A Carey (wk), C Green, P Cummins (capt), M Starc, A Zampa, J Hazlewood.

India XI: R Sharma (capt), I Kishan, V Kohli, S Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), H Pandya, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, J Bumrah, K Yadav, M Siraj.
 
Batting first is big advantage against India and certainly on this deck .
 
Australia won the toss and probably the match as well.
Pitch is not looking good and definitely will further deteriorate.
Iyer and Jadeja will be main man for India, Zampa and Maxwell for Australia.
Good luck to both teams.
 
I think batting first has always been an advantage at Chennai? Indian friends might confirm and explain why
 
Australia will score more than 300 and then India will be bowled out for around 220. This is the beginning of a horrific tournament for host side, mark my words. Their good performances at the end of the Asia Cup his the glaring weaknesses this side has.
 
Wafer thin batting we have. One of the poorest in this WC especially without Gill.

Don't have any confidence in Kohli, Rahul. Jadeja is a fraud in LoIs.
 
LOL that pitch is looking like Day 5 test match pitch. It will be a rank turner.

ICC doing pitch tampering in favour of home side?

Hope it doesn't backfire
 
Our bowling trumps batting by a long long margin.
 
If Aus get 280+ they'll be happy here.

If they top 320 going to be almost done deal
 
Wafer thin batting we have. One of the poorest in this WC especially without Gill.

Don't have any confidence in Kohli, Rahul. Jadeja is a fraud in LoIs.
Out of curiosity, why do so many Indian fans seems so negative about Jadeja? It seems like there’s a lot of instances of him bailing the team out after the top order fails. On top of that you get world class fielding and serviceable bowling?
 
Out of curiosity, why do so many Indian fans seems so negative about Jadeja? It seems like there’s a lot of instances of him bailing the team out after the top order fails. On top of that you get world class fielding and serviceable bowling?
He seems to be bailing out our team whenever it's a lost cause. Not otherwise. His strike rate for a lower middle order batsman is shameful, his average in ODIs is even more shameful.

No, his bowling isn't serviceable. Only saving grace is his serviceable fielding.
 
This is a known spinning track and as the game goes on, it is supposed to further deteriorate and help the team that is bowling second. Let's see what happens. India can also get them out cheaply since they have Kuldeep, Ashwin and Jadeja. Should be a very good game cant wait
 
Wafer thin batting we have. One of the poorest in this WC especially without Gill.

Don't have any confidence in Kohli, Rahul. Jadeja is a fraud in LoIs.
Bro you’ve got two goats in Kohli and Rohit. An inform Kishan and Rahul is not a joke either. On top of that Aussies only have one specialist spinner in Zampa who is hot and cold sometimes. Australia are over relying on Maxwell but I think he’s going to get smacked up soon. But the key is Starc, left hander who swings the ball, if Rohit sees him off then advantage India in my opinion
 
Bro you’ve got two goats in Kohli and Rohit. An inform Kishan and Rahul is not a joke either. On top of that Aussies only have one specialist spinner in Zampa who is hot and cold sometimes. Australia are over relying on Maxwell but I think he’s going to get smacked up soon. But the key is Starc, left hander who swings the ball, if Rohit sees him off then advantage India in my opinion
Both Rohit and Kohli used to be good, not any longer.

Zampa has wood over us especially Kohli, for long time now.
 
Funnily enough, reverse is true for us in case of Starc especially in tests.
 
India is playing its 150th match today against Australia overall if I am not wrong.
 
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