Hosts India take on Five-time champions Australia for a first sold-out show

Match 5: India vs Australia World cup match at Chepauk, Chennai - Preview

October 7, 2023: Wow! A Cricket World Cup has begun and hosted by a cricket-crazy nation, yet there is no hype, not many ads, and no superstar promotion. Gone are those days, we can safely now say!!

Here we come to Chennai, and finally, the host nation India plays its first match of the World Cup against their nemesis Australia (Aus holds an upper hand 8-4 record in terms of WC matches). It is going to be a mouth-watering Sunday afternoon clash on the cards with a full house expected, finally!

Chennai, traditionally a spinners' paradise, and India, with three world-class spinners at their helm (including the homeboy Ashwin), hold the upper hand. Australia's recent struggles against SA spinners seem a story which won't let the Aussies approach Sunday with ease. 

However, count out the Aussies at your own risk, with Glen Maxwell, Steven Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne being top-class batters of spin.

With Gill being doubtful, it does present an opportunity for Ishan Kishan to start his first WC campaign for India. His current form is no less a replacement for Gill at the top. With India's newfound attacking approach in the powerplay and the liking Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have for the Aussie bowling, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have their task cut out, and it could end up very much as to the team winning the powerplay winning the match. Indian batters seem to have hit a purple patch at the right time, and it would be interesting to see their approach against an ever-aggressive Australian bowling attack beefed up by Adam Zampa and a more than part-time spinner Maxwell has the knack of providing crucial breakthroughs consistently.

Key Battles:

Starc vs Indian top-order

Ashwin and Kuldeep vs Australia middle order

Warner vs Rohit - Powerplay Impact!!

The pitch at Chepauk assists both bowlers and batters. However, it's likely to slow down as the game progresses, making batting difficult in the second innings, and the spinners will make a difference.

Pure Cricket take: Win the toss and bat first.

- Karthik, Team Pure Cricket

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Pics: Internet