Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh feels India will have an edge over Australia in their opening match of the ODI World Cup match on Sunday at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. The Men in Blue have been in terrific form in recent times as they won the Asia Cup 2023 and also outclassed Australia in a three-match series prior to the World Cup.
However, it will be a different game altogether when the two teams face each other on Sunday as Australia are known to bring their A-game to the table in World Cups.
ICC World Cup 2023 Points Table
Harbhajan, who was part of India’s 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team, said that Rohit Sharma and Co. are riding high on confidence and said they are going to have an edge over the mighty Aussies.
“It is 60-40 in India’s favor. India have played some very good cricket in the recent past. A young Indian team did very well against Australia in the ODI series, winning 2-1. The team also won the Asia Cup. So, they will be very confident at the moment,” Harbhajan said in his latest YouTube video.
ICC World Cup 2023 Golden Bat
The veteran offie further suggested that the Chennai surface also adds to India’s advantage as the pitch is expected to be on the slower side and India have good spinners who can exploit the conditions.
“India have a very big advantage as the match is taking place in Chennai. The wicket over there will be slow. However, the good thing for batters will be the bounce. The bounce will be quite good. I don’t think there could have been a better venue for India’s first match,” he added.
India are expected to play with three spinners – Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja against Australia. It is highly unlikely for Shardul Thakur to get a nod over R Ashwin on Chennai’s track.
The match against Australia will be more fascinating because Rohit will be tested tactically against a side that will bat deep. Glenn Maxwell’s off-breaks along with Adam Zampa’s success against Indian top order puts them on an even keel.
How Indian spinners bowl in the middle overs on a Chepauk surface that will have turn and grip on offer will be key to India’s fate.
At Chepauk, India have won seven out of 14 ODIs with six defeats and one game abandoned. Australia have in fact won five out of their six ODIs at this venue.
There are no favourites in this match. Let the ‘Cup of Hope’ turn into ‘Cup of Joy’ for India.
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