The Australians are all set to take on the Indians in their backyard from the 27th of this month and the series will include 3 ODIs, 3 T20I, and 3 Test matches which are set to take place from the 27th of November to the 19th of January. The two teams will first clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground and the match will mark the first International match of Team India post the lockdown.
The series will feature the best talents around the world and we all know the intensity with which both the teams play the sport. The series is much anticipated and the Pandemic conditions did give the audience a scare over if the tour will go ahead as scheduled. But the authorities have done a great job in keeping the series alive and the fans are assured now of a great battle between the two heavyweights of the sport.
Cricwizz today brings you the Best Combined ODI Xl from the current squad of Team Australia and India.
1) David Warner (Australia)
The Australian hard-hitter and former captain David Warner will be the right fit for the opener as he could demolish any bowling line- up in the world on his day. The left-hander has played various match-winning knocks for his teams and he is one the most consistent batsman in the world. His ability to play spin adds to the reasons we have made him the opener for this elite team.
Warner has played 126 ODIs for Australia and has amassed 5303 runs at an incredible average of 44.56 and strike- rate of 95.43.
2) KL Rahul (India)
The Indian Wicket- keeper Batsman KL Rahul along with the Australian David Warner could be one of the deadliest combination for the opposition. Rahul is one of the most elegant batsmen currently and his incredible form added with his excellent wicket-keeping skills make him the best opener in the current squad. It is also to be noted that he did a wonderful job as a captain in the recently concluded IPL and that should have made the 28- year old more responsible in his approach.
3) Virat Kohli (India)
No.3 and no surprises here. Yes, who else would be a perfect No.3 than the Indian Skipper Virat Kohli. The run- machine is often considered to be a superhuman solely for the records he possesses and his incredible consistency. The 32- year old is way ahead of all the players in the current era and catching seems to be difficult or say rather an impossible task for the players.
Kohli has played 248 ODIs for the Men in Blue and piled on 11867 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 59.34 and strike- rate of 93.25. His average of 59.34 is the highest in the world for any batsman who has played more than 50 matches.
4) Steve Smith (Australia)
The former Australian captain and one of the best batsmen of the modern era, Steven Smith grabs the 4th position in the line-up. The 31- year old has been making all the headlines ever since he made his debut for Australia and his never give up attitude has won millions of hearts around the world. For that reason he will be the right fit in the batting line up and his captaincy experience too can be handy.
Smith has played 125 ODIs for the baggy greens and managed to score 4162 runs at an average of 42.47 and strike- rate of 86.67.
5) Marnus Labuschagne (Australia)
The 26- year old Batting all-rounder is the right fit for the No.5 spot as he is someone who can play all the gears. He can anchor the innings as well as finish the game for his side. The 26- year old is one of the best players for Australia currently and his ability to bowl a few tight overs in the middle makes him the ideal player to have in the team.
The RIght- hander has played 10 ODIs for Team Australia and scored 394 runs at a healthy average of 43.78.
6) Marcus Stoinis (Australia)
Those who followed the Indian Premier League will know the prime form this Australian is currently in. On his day, the 31- year old Marcus Stoinis will punish the bowlers and he will have no mercy. Such is the sheer power of hm. He is also someone who can play the long innings if he gets going and has various times won the matches for his team single-handedly. In addition to his batting, he is a very good bowler as well and can pick the crucial wickets when the team needs it.
Stoinis has played 44 ODIs for Australia and has scored 1106 runs and picked up 33 wickets.
7) Hardik Pandya (India)
Undoubtedly the best pinch hitter in the slot, there are very few batsmen currently who can hit the ball as hard as Pandya. The 27 -year old after his injury has been converting his role in the team as a finisher rather than the previously held role of a bowling all-rounder. He did a wonderful job for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL and will be hoping he can deliver for the Men in Blue now. His three-dimensional ability makes him grab the vital No.7 position in our line- up.
8) Yuzvendra Chahal (India)
Probably the best spinner for Team India in the limited-overs format, Yuzvendra Chahal is never shy of ticking his wickets column. The one thing that makes the leggie stand out from the other spinners is his fearless approach to the batsmen and also never holds back in tossing up the ball to even the best hitters in the World. The 30- year old has found immense success in picking up wickets with his approach and will look to continue his IPL form in Australia as well.
Though the Right-hander will have to sweat it out on the flat surfaces of Australia, he is someone who has the potential. Chahal has played 52 ODIs for Team India and is only 9 wickets away from reaching the milestone of 100 wickets.
9) Pat Cummins (Australia)
Though had a mediocre season in the IPL, the Aussie spearhead is now playing in his backyard. He definitely would be looking to hit his form in the series and given that the conditions will be in his favor, it would not be surprising to see the 27- year old trouble the Indian Batsmen. In addition to his bowling, he can hit a few valuable runs for the team as well and for that reason, he is sure to play a vital role for the Aussies.
10) Mitchell Starc (Australia)
The duo of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc could demolish any batting line-up in the world. The only concern for Starc would be the long break he has been from the sport and that could hit back as the other players have used the IPL as a platform to settle down post the forced break. There is no doubt about the potential of the 30- year old and if he is in his prime, the Indians will have to struggle their way up.
Starc has played 94 ODIs for Australia and managed to pick up 183 wickets at an economy of 5.12.
11) Jasprit Bumrah (India)
How can the line- up be complete without the No.1 bowler in the World- Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian spearhead will once again be the vital bowler for Team India and he is the kind of bowler any team would love to have because of his ability to bowl yorkers at will. As we saw in the IPL, he can tear apart any batting order, and once again it would be entertaining to see how the 26- year old go about the proceedings in the Australian conditions.
Bumrah has played 64 ODIs for the Men in Blue and has managed to pick up 104 wickets at an economy of 4.56.
Cover Credits: Crickettimes
