 The Commonwealth Bank series looks nicely poised at the moment, with six of the
twelve league matches having been played. A few close games and some spirited
fightbacks have ensured the competition is well and truly alive as Australia
prepare to face India on Sunday.
After wins in the first two matches, Australia have suffered two contrasting
defeats in their last two matches. Against India, their sizable total
was outdone by the master-class of MS Dhoni. And against Sri Lanka, the story
was quite different as they crashed to a rather embarrassing eight-wicket defeat
with plenty of overs left.
Click for Live Score Card of Australia Vs India
The challenge does not get easier for Australia with Michael Clarke
still doubtful for the match on Sunday, having missed out against Sri Lanka
already. Moreover, the stand-in skipper, Ricky Ponting, has had a string of
failures having registered four single-digit scores so far. Worryingly, their
bowling looks in ill shape as Brett Lee lacked his usual fiery touch
on his comeback.
Mitchell Starc has also sprayed the ball around quite a bit and has thus been
expensive. The batsmen will be expected to do better than their dismal 158 all
out performance in the rain-affected match against Sri Lanka.
India find themselves in an unusual position - at the top of the table - and
will be eager to maintain their supremacy. Their last two matches ended in last-over
finishes, including a tie against Sri Lanka. While they managed to come out
on top against Australia, they will no doubt have talked about rectifying the
mistakes they made against Sri Lanka. The rotation policy is expected to continue
which could mean Gautam Gambhir to be benched despite having played two
90+ runs knocks.
The match will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane. The home side has not lost
an ODI at this ground in nearly four years, and ironically it was India that beat
them last at this ground.
|
