Indian team who has loss there both previous outing at MCG on current ongoing tour will feel the heat when they take on Australians on Sunday. On the other hand Australians are very confident after beating Sri Lanka by 128 runs in the 3rd ODI of Series in Sydney on Thursday. India will play on same pitch where they have been bowled out for 2nd lowest total of twenty20 on 74 in just 17.4 Overs. So far Indian team has played two ODI’s in CB series and both games have been abandoned due to rain at Brisbane. However at MCG full game will be expected with bright and clear sky. In the first match of the CB series Indian middle order found themselves in big trouble when they slump from 90/2 to 103/6, however Indian manage to post 194 runs on the board in allotted 45 overs. Bowler did a great job to pull the things off in their favor by taking three quick wickets before rain came in. In the second match Indian bowler didn’t get a chance to bowl a single ball due to heavy rain. Middle order batsman once again didn’t capitalize on the start given by their Openers and slump to 83/4, however Indian captain M.S. Dhoni finally able to found his form with blistering 84 not out and put on 184 runs partnership for the fifth wicket with Gautam Gambhir (102 not out). Indian Vice Captain and One-day specialist Yuvraj Singh has been going through a lean patch since the Test series while the form of some of the other younger batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Robin Uthappa, who joined the team for One-Day team, has also been worrying factor. Indians are likely to go into this match with same playing XI. The Indians will look for a flying start from the in-form Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag for the team to post a good total on the board on a slow Melbourne Cricket Ground track. Australian team on other hand are strengthened by the return of Mathew Hayden and they will also go with same playing XI who has beaten Sri Lannkan’s on Thursday. Indians would also be tested in the field, both inside the ring and in the outfield on a huge MCG arena where only the strongest with the best methods can fire in a flat return. Australia appear extremely formidable in all departments even though the their Capatin Ricky Ponting are not in the best of forms. Match will start from 08.45 AM (Indian Time which will be Day/Night Encounter at M.C.G) Likely Playing XI for Both teams: Australia: Adam Gilchrist, M.Hayden, R.Ponting (C), Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Michael Hussey, James Hopes, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Mitchell Johnson, B.Hogg. India: Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, R.Sharma, Robin Uthappa, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt, wk), Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma. |
