With the headlines dominated by the news of Sachin Tendulkar's retirement from the game, the pre-match hype around the ODI series between India and Australia has been minimal. If Tendulkar's retirement was big, the return of Yuvraj Singh into international action promised India of better days in future. The 31 year old southpaw showed signs of returning to his heydays with a brutal assault on the hapless Australian bowlers in the one-off T20I at Rajkot. The scene now shifts to the 50 over format of the game as the two teams battle for the No.1 rank over the next few weeks across the length and breadth of the country, culminating in Bangalore on November 2nd.
India have a firm grip over the No. 1 ranking thanks to their recent performances but a bad slip-up against Australia ( a 5-2 result in favour of Australia) will see the two teams exchanging positions. The team looks more or less settled, and the return of Yuvraj Singh will only strengthen the enviable middle-order. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have gelled well as an opening combination since the Champions Trophy, and although they are yet to match the achievements of some of their more illustrious predecessors, they have given the much needed stability at the top of the order. With a power packed and settled middle order, India do not have too many questions over their batting.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, the spin twins have struggled for impact in the early season. While Jadeja did show some signs of returning to his frugal best during the one-off T20I at Rajkot, Ashwin was a huge disappointment, sending down two expensive overs. Ishant Sharma has been another bowler under the cloud, more often then not flattering to deceive. The two Kumars, Bhuvneshwar and Vinay took 3 wickets each in the T20I and should be automatic starters at Pune.
On the other hand, Australia are beset with problems of their own. Hamstrung by the absence of regular skipper, Michael Clarke, the visitors will rely heavily on their batsmen to make an impact against the hosts. Aaron Finch, while scoring heavily in the T20Is has struggled to recreate that kind of form in the ODI format. The acting captain, George Bailey is the fulcrum in the middle order and he will need the rest of the batting order to give him support. In Clarke's absence, Phillip Hughes, largely considered as the best amongst the emerging bats from Australia will get a chance to prove his credentials. Shane Watson will be expected to play a big role, while Australia will also hope for Glenn Maxwell to continue his recent T20 form.
With many Australians having represented various Indian T20 league franchises, the familiarity with the local conditions will offset any natural advantage that India posses. The likes of Nathan Coulter-Nile and James Faulkner, who despite being on their first trip to India with the national team have been exposed to the Indian conditions thanks to their stints with Mumbai and Rajasthan respectively in T20 games. Xavier Doherty is the lead spinner while Glenn Maxwell and Adam Voges can chip in their bit as well.
Weather Conditions: A warm day is expected as the Maharasthra Cricket Association stadium gears up to host its first ever ODI match. The pitch is expected to be placid and a high scoring game is on the anvil although the Indian skipper expects the wicket to be two-paced.
Quotes:
You take MS Dhoni out (of the Indian team) and that probably answers your question - Australia's acting coach, Steve Rixon laments the loss of Micheal Clarke.
One also has to take into consideration the dew factor. Fast bowlers were unable to bowl yorkers while spinners found it difficult to extract turn and bounce - MS Dhoni is not too concerned about the profilgacy of his bowlers.
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