The thought behind a seven-match series is that in its initial stage, loss might not matter a great deal as teams have a chance to come back and experiment.
That brings India and Australia to the Sawai Man Singh stadium here in Jaipur for the second one day international. The visitors are one match in front and the win came an all-round fashion after putting 304 on board and then bowling out the hosts for 232 for a comprehensive 72-run victory in Pune. But this being a long series, Wednesday for India would be starting afresh without looking too much into the first game loss while the Aussies would be looking to build on the win.
Indian vice-captain Virat Kohli has the same thought in his mind. “It (Pune ODI) was one such day when we didn't do well,” he told media-persons in the Pink City on Tuesday in the customary pre-match press conference.
On the experiment part, India can continue with what they started with Rohit Sharma as opener earlier in the year when England toured. Now, the idea of Suresh Raina at the important number four slot has taken effect with its endorsement by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni after the first ODI.
Sharma’s changed role seems to have suited him as he is averaging 41.46 with 622 runs from 17 innings against a career average of 32.50 over 98 innings. Raina has the experience of 175 matches behind him but can he thrive in his new job remains to be seen.
Therefore, the Indian batting still looks to be away from being settled but they have the confidence of the victories in Champions Trophy and a tri-series in West Indies. The addition of a fit-again Yuvraj Singh – instead of the dropped Dinesh Karthik - makes the middle-order stable with him and captain MS Dhoni at five and six respectively oozing a lot of confidence. They, with Arjuna awardee and current ICC ODI Player of the Year Kohli makes three of the top six formidable.
And, Shikhar Dhawan’s prolific form — he has three hundreds and two fifties in 15 innings this year — only adds to the Indian batting glamour. But he would know there’s a long way to go. At number seven, Ravindra Jadeja’s average of over 32 in 55 innings has started to inspire confidence.
On the other hand, the visitors have an inexperienced batting line-up with only Shane Watson having played over 100 ODIs and Brad Haddin closing in on it in the top seven. Even their captain Geroge Bailey has a total of 30 ODI outings to his credit. The rest in Adam Voges at number six, and, openers Aaron Finch and Phillip Hughes are still finding their feet in international cricket, so is the big-hitting Glenn Maxwell in the middle-order.
One problem that the Aussies have faced, due to the lack of experience and they being characteristically attacking players, lately is that they don’t have a batsman staying till the end so that the latter over field restrictions can be utilised. In Pune, their 146 for two in 27 overs could have resulted in much more than 304 in the end had any of their top-seven batted till the end.
Their bowling looks sharp when a certain Mitchell Johnson gets his bearings right to bowl at an average speed of 140 kms. James Faulkner can bowls well at the death and Clint Mc Kay adds variety with his movement of the ball, as does the thinking bowler in Watson. Spin option Xavier Doherty is what the Indians would look as the one to go after. Bailey had used the left-armer as a containing one the Pune ODI and one can expect the same in Jaipur.
On a lively pitch, the Champions league and the IPl earlier in the year suggests that, could be one that suits the visitors more than the hosts. Wednesday’s prediction is that it will bounce.
India’s bowling starts with Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swinging capabilities but a question mark remains on him if he doesn’t get early wickets. Dhoni has, on occasions bowled his quota of overs looking at this point. Ishant Sharma seems short of form, he gave away 56 runs in Pune in seven overs, but he would have a chance in conducive conditions to make his mark. R Vinay Kumar would also look to make amends after giving away 68 in nine overs in the first ODI while getting a wicket.
Ravichandran Ashwin gives variety along with Jadeja and both men also play on characteristic weakness of the visitors, spin. 90 runs in 20 overs with three wickets between them in the first game testimony to that fact. livewire Yuvraj to follow gives the captain the choice of a wicket-taker when in turmoil.
In January this year India started a five-match ODI series against England with a loss and then went on to win the next three ODIs to take the series. In the first game at Rajkot then, the visitors had put a big score on the board while batting first. Jaipur is known for its festivities, Tuesday is another one cricket style and an expected full-house would be eager and wanting a good bursting of on-field crackers.
Home advantageIJ
Jaipur is home to IPl side Rajasthan Royals and this year, they have gone 13 matches without a loss at the Sawai Man Singh stadium, and interestingly, no member of the present Indian ODI side, plays for the franchise.
Contrastingly, Australians Shane Watson and James Faulkner have been a part of most of these matches at Jaipur denting the whole home advantage principle a little. “We have James Faulkner and Shane Watson have played a lot here lately and they tell us it is a good wicket to bat on,” Australian vice-captain Brad Haddin said during the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Watson has been with the Royals for six years now and is a favourite among the Jaipur crowd with ‘Watson Watson’ chants being the norm when the burly Australian dons the local blue colours. The all-rounder would find the setting in yellow different though.
Indian vice-captain Virat Kohli feels otherwise on the advantage part. “I don't think it's (playing in T20s in Jaipur) an advantage. They haven't played a lot of 50 over cricket which is a different ball game. Obviously they're going to have a fair idea of this wicket, how to play on it. But we've played more on this wicket as far as the one day format is concerned,” he said.
Jaipur last hosted international games in 2010 and India played against South Africa and New Zealand, February and December respectively., winning both of them.