A dominant performance by the Australians in Visakhapatnam has set up a decider, with the series tied 1-1 heading into game three. Can Australia break India’s ODI seven consecutive home series streak? Or will the hosts bounce back from an embarrassing defeat?
It's all set for a cracking series decider, which will be a great indicator on both sides ability to handle pressure heading into a World Cup in these conditions. And as always, make sure to check out our Cricket Tips page for all of our cricket coverage!
India vs Australia 3rd ODI Betting Tips
Mumbai, Wednesday 22nd March, 7.00pm (AEDT)
India
Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami
For the second game in a row, India’s top order collapsed, however their middle order couldn’t steady the ship in game two. India fell to 4/39 in game one, and in game two it was a similar story, finding themselves at 4/48 inside of nine overs. Virat Kohli (31 off 35) and Axar Patel (29* off 29) battle hard amongst the chaos, however India’s top order once again couldn’t handle the swinging ball against Mitchell Starc.
An interesting development in this series has been India’s ultra aggressive approach at the top of the order, and it has gone pear shaped in both games so far. In Mumbai India’s top four combined for 27 runs with three scores in single digits, while in Visakhapatnam they combined for 44 runs, with two ducks. After Semi Final defeats in the last two ICC Cricket World Cup’s, they’ve decided to bat more in the method that England does, however it’s clear that it isn’t a natural method for their top order batsmen.
Despite the hot form of Mitch Marsh, India will be confident that if they get through Australia’s top order, they can significantly restrict the Australians' scoring potential. The Australian middle order hasn’t been effective in One Day cricket for quite some time. Mohammed Shami (3/17) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/46) toyed with the Australian middle and lower order, and will fancy their chances if the top order exposes them.
Australia
Predicted XI: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis
A comprehensive performance with both bat and ball gave Australia their biggest victory ever against India in terms of balls remaining. The Aussies were led by Mitchell Starc’s 5/53 as they knocked over India for 117. The chase was as equally dominant if not more, as Mitch Marsh (66* off 36) and Travis Head (51* off 30) reached the target after 11 overs, to win by 10 wickets.
Mitchell Starc once again produced the goods for Australia, highlighting how much of a weapon he can be for Australia if he’s in form during this year’s World Cup. Starc has eight wickets across two games this series, with seven of his nine wickets in the series being top five batsmen in the Indian side. Starc kept Australia in game one after a poor batting performance, and had the result sewn up after his eight overs in game two.
Australia’s top order has been excellent in both games, with the Aussies getting to 2/129 in game one, while the opening partnership in game two produced an unbeaten 121 run stand. There are plenty of questions around the middle order which has struggled to elevate the Australians ever since the 2015 World Cup, and there is a mountain of pressure on the likes of Labuschagne, Carey and Stoinis to produce.
Match Prediction
There have been plenty of positives with the ball for Australia in this series, however it’s hard to see India’s top order failing for a third consecutive game. The Indians have won seven straight ODI series at home, and will be desperate to bounce back after the horror show in game two.
If India’s top order can produce, Australia simply don’t have the firepower to go with them in Indian conditions. Australia found a better balance at selection with their eleven for game two, however the reliance on Starc, Head and Marsh is far too heavy. If one of those players doesn’t play well for Australia, it will be difficult for the Aussies to win. India love high pressure games at home, and will steady in game three to secure a series victory.
Prop Bets
Mitch Marsh, dominating in a new position in the months leading into a World Cup, it’s an eerily similar feeling to 2021. It would be over the top to assume Marsh will reproduce his heroics from the 2021 calendar year that led Australia to their first T20 World Cup victory, however he is producing a body of work that proves he is one of the world’s best white ball players when he’s on song. Marsh has top scored in both games with knocks of 81 and 66*, and is set for another big performance in game three.
Mitch Marsh Over 30.5 Runs, $1.83 with Ladbrokes
Despite establishing himself as the best T20 batsmen in the world, Suryakumar Yadav has been unable to translate that scintillating form to fifty over cricket. In his last sixteen innings Suryakumar has produced scores of 6, 27, 16, 13, 9, 8, 4, 34*, 6, 4, 31, 14, 0 and 0. 172 runs at an average of thirteen, and has had his front pad obliterated by Micthell Starc on the first ball of both of his innings this series. The two golden ducks will be playing heavy on his mind when the inevitable occurrence of Starc bowling to him in game three.
Suryakumar Yadav Under 27.5 Runs, $1.83 with Ladbrokes
