India’s quest for a convincing start against 5-time champions Australia  

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• Virat Kohli has odds of 3.62 to be the best batsman for India.  
• Steven Smith has odds of 3.66 to be Australia's best batsman. 
• Mohammad Shami has odds of 3.46 to be India's best bowler.  
• Mitchell Starc has odds of 3.48 to be the best bowler for Australia.  

MATCH PREVIEW     

It is the 5th game in the ICC Cricket World Cup and one of the most anticipated matches as hosts India take on five-time title winners Australia. Indians come into the tournament with momentum after solid performances in the Asia Cup and the ODI series against Australia, which they had won 2-1. They have a strong batting line-up and are considered one of the strongest contenders for the title by betting sites. We can’t count out Australia in our betting tips either, as they bring out the best on the biggest stage. As both teams look to make a convincing start to their campaign, we expect a close contest.    

India Preview      

Rohit Sharma and his men have the pressure of being the hosts and the top contenders for the title. They have gathered momentum in the last two months with solid performances at home and abroad. Sharma would take confidence from their batting form and recent win against Australia. He would like his players to play their natural game and earn their first points for the tournament.  

The batsmen have been in good form, and the side will expect an electrifying start from Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Virat Kohli must anchor the innings in the middle order, and he will look to add runs with KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. The side will expect quick runs from Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin, as they will fancy their chances on this low-bounce track.  

The Indian bowling attack will face a tough challenge in this game, and they take on an aggressive batting line-up. The side will need early wickets from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. The side has a strong spin attack, and in-form Kuldeep Yadav will look to trouble the Aussies with Jadeja and Ashwin. Pandya will have a crucial role in this game as the support bowler.   

Expected Starting XI for India     

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, KL Rahul (wk), Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami 

Australia Preview      

Pat Cummins’ side enters the tournament with back-to-back series losses against South Africa and India. The odds are not in their favor. However, the mighty Australians will put that behind them and bring out their best show in this game, as they have always done. They have a potent fast-bowling attack and quality batters in the team. Cummins will know about India’s strengths and look for a strong show from his players in this game.  

David Warner and Mitchell Marsh are in good form, and they would like to lay a strong platform at the top. In Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, the side has quality players in the middle order, and they will look to build partnerships in the middle order with Alex Carey. Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell have established their reputation as good finishers and must play important knocks in the lower middle order.  

Mitchell Starc has done it in the past on the world stage, and he will look to grab early wickets by sharing the new ball with skipper Pat Cummins with the new ball. Josh Hazlewood must use his variations well in the middle overs with Adam Zampa, who will enjoy the conditions in Chennai. The side will also expect good spells from Green and Labuschagne to trouble the strong line-up the Indians have.   
 

Expected Starting XI for Australia     

Pat Cummins (c), David Warner, Cameron Green, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell 

TOSS: To Bowl First      

The track has slowed down in the last few years. The ball doesn’t come onto the bat that quickly, making scoring difficult. It is not an easy venue to set a score and batting conditions improve under lights. The side winning the toss would like to bowl first and restrict the opposition to a small total.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

The skies over Chennai would be mostly clear, but the wicket shall be tricky to bat on. The ball would stop on the batsmen occasionally. Bowlers have found assistance on this surface in the last few games. The side batting first here would be happy with a score of 300 runs.    

OUR PREDICTION      

The Australian team hasn’t had too much to celebrate in the last month. They have a strong batting line-up, but the lack of a quality spin attack can cause their undoing in this game. The Indians tick all the balance and have the right balance in their batting line-up and spin attack. They are favorites to win this game, according to our ICC World Cup betting tips.   

Our Prediction is for India to win