New Delhi: The three-match ODI series between India and Australia has reached its final stage. The third and final match will be played on October 25th at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Indian team has lost both of the initial matches, resulting in Australia already winning the series. Now, the challenge for Team India is not only to win the match but also to salvage some pride.
Sydney Pitch: Ideal for Batting but Offers Opportunities for Spinners
The Sydney pitch has always been known for high-scoring matches. The surface is considered helpful for batsmen, especially in the initial overs.
Looking at the statistics of the last five ODI matches, the team batting first has scored more than 250 runs every time, with the score exceeding 300 on two occasions.
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However, as the match progresses, the pitch slows down, and spinners start getting some assistance. This means that batting in the second innings can be slightly more difficult. Therefore, batting first after winning the toss could prove to be a beneficial strategy for the team.
A total of 168 ODIs have been played at the Sydney Cricket Ground so far. Of these, the team batting first has won 96 times, while the team chasing the target has only been successful 64 times.
This statistic clearly indicates that winning the toss and batting first is the better option on this ground.
India’s Record in Sydney Is Worrying
The Sydney ground has not been very lucky for the Indian team. Team India has played a total of 22 ODI matches here, 19 of which were against Australia. In these 19 matches, India has only managed to win twice, while suffering defeat in 16 matches. One match was abandoned.
India registered its first win at this ground in 2008 when they defeated Australia by 6 wickets. The second win came in 2016 when brilliant performances from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma led the team to victory.
But in all three ODI matches played since then, India has suffered defeats. What could be Team India’s strategy? The Indian team might make some changes for this match. Spinners will play a crucial role in the bowling attack, especially in the middle overs.
For the batsmen, it will be essential to score runs in the initial overs and build long partnerships. If India wants to win, they will need not only a good start but also to score quick runs in the death overs.
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Overall, this match in Sydney is India’s last chance to salvage some pride. While the pitch will assist the batsmen, the spinners will play a decisive role in the later overs.
Australia is in a strong position on their home ground, but if India plays with composure and a sound strategy, they can improve their poor record in Sydney.