After Friday morning’s dramatic T20I, Australia’s tour of India moves to the ODI format of the game with the two teams clashing in the first match tonight. We’ll have live scores from 7.00pm AEDT.
The T20I saw Australia put up 201, only to see India benefit from the dew and flat track and coast to a six-wicket win.
There was one other thing not too many saw coming, a Yuvraj Singh comeback and in style.
Interestingly, Australian captain George Bailey had warned before the start of the game that Yuvraj did love playing against them. The left-hander lived up to Bailey’s prophecy and carved out a mouth-watering 35-ball 77.
It put to shade a similar effort from Aaron Finch who blasted off a 52-ball 89 that had earlier propelled Australia to 201.
In fact at one stage, Australia looked good to get to more than 220 but lost a few wickets in a heap.
Things may not be that easy for the batsmen in Pune, which is hosting its first ODI at this venue.
During the IPL, the track was quite slow and batting on most occasions used to be a tough exercise at this stadium.
If that remains the case, India will not want to make any changes to their side unless affected by injury.
In R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja they have two decent spinners – albeit out of form – to test out the Aussie batsmen.
Mitchell Johnson was held back from the Australian team for the T20I and he could be in line to make it back to the side.
With Clint McKay most certain to take his place in the side, it would be one of James Faulkner or Nathan Coulter-Nile who will lose their spot if Johnson makes a comeback.
Australia’s batting has the necessary depth, a fact acknowledged by Dhoni during his pre-match conference.
There will be one change to the order with Nic Maddinson expected to be dropped and Phil Hughes to take up his spot. The other option Australia have is to bring in Callum Ferguson.
India, who have now won eight ODIs in a row and defeated Australia the last time the two sides met – in the 2011 World Cup – have their own bowling worries.
Ishant Sharma is the most experienced of the quick bowlers and he will lead a bowling attack consisting of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and one the other option from the bench.
The Indian batting line-up won’t change for this game.
Follow the live score of this T20I between India and Australia from 7.00pm AEST.
Jairam_Sagar
Guest
After the winning shoot I pinched myself to check if I am live or in dreams. What a splendid unimaginable out-standing performance by the Indian batters. Simply mind blowing and terrific batting by the top 3 batters. Something that can be only dreamed off was made realistic DRV (Dhawan, Rohit & Virat). A little sadness for missing Dhawan's century. In the rest of the series we need to maintain the same batting standards, but needs lot of improvements from the bowling & fielding departments. In the last 3 matches against the Kangaroos our bowling has be a huge disaster and to some extent the fielding too. It is the time for the new bowling faces to be on fields now so that we will also be fit for 2015 World Cup. Because bowling will be a big pillar for us to win the World Cup. R Ashwin and I Sharma needs a little break and practice off fields. Get the new bowlers out of the waiting rooms. Well Done Men Of Blue Youngs & All the best for the rest of the series. STATUTORY WARNING: Don't Lose Your Shines By Performing Advertisements and Sticking With Celebrities or Hot Chicks.
Peter
Roar Rookie
Doesn't anyone think this series will be good for Australia's Ashes campaign? These games could arguably have players better prepared, should they be selected for the 1st Test, then a bunch of domestic ODI and Shield games would. Not to mention, should this series go well, we will have a reasonably stable one day team for the next few years through to the World Cup. Also, I really enjoyed last night's game and am looking forward to the next 6.
Red Kev
Guest
Clearly Faulkner is not ready to play for Australia - he can't even do a high-five properly. Never do anything great in sport if you can't handle the congratulations.
ChrisUK
Guest
I thought you meant George Bailey.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Once again the most under rated ODI player in the world does his thing with a minimum of fuss. You'd think after taking 89 wickets at 22 there'd be more widespread praise for Clint McKay.
Zulfiqar Ali parimali
Guest
I love Muhammad Yosuf And assad safiq... From zulfiqa parimali pakistan...
Aakash bhat
Guest
Well done guys
Tatah
Guest
I'll put the mocker on him. Faulkner becoming the go to guy in one dayers. Kind of like an early Steve Waugh in the bowling department.
Aakash bhat
Guest
Kohli has become a really nice batsman
JGK
Roar Guru
India look to have this well in hand.
Felix
Guest
Couldn't agree more Suneer, how does 3 ODI's and 2 T20's grab everyone? You could get it done in 10 days and satisfy all concerned. It all comes down to scheduling, which seems to be very fluid and flippant at the best of times, so my suggestion was to have this ironed out before any other series were booked in obviously. I rate the format, middle order batsmen still have an opportunity to score good runs and work a ball around to a field, that's the basis of cricket. I hope it remains, but I think series like this damage its reputation.
ChrisUK
Guest
Phil Hughes, take a bow! Great catch.
JGK
Roar Guru
India scoring at will at the moment. Not sure what Bailey is doing.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
True that, could well be the reason behind his unhappiness and non-scoring. About the series itself, I wonder what's this fascination with seven ODIs. If three is too less, then seven is way too much. This series could not have been played in January-February because India will be playing in South Africa and New Zealand during the same time before they feature in the Asia Cup. The only other option was to not have this series at all, which would have meant a loss of revenues for the BCCI and a resulting ire on CA. CA's relationship with the BCCI is currently one of the best in the cricketing world and they would do anything to not jeopardise it - and their own finances. My own perception about the format is similar to some other former cricketers, who say there needs to be more context to it - a World Cup, Champions Trophy, an Asia Cup etc. And if that cannot be done because of financial reasons, at least reduce the number of matches to a total of five limited over internationals - that includes T20Is.
Felix
Guest
That would make my year, with all best wishes and respect to Haddin of course, I'm just an unashamed QLD fan. Cutting for Australian captain (too soon!?).
JGK
Roar Guru
Hopefully not. Although given Hadfin's eye injury from Faulkner's high five might open the door for Hartley!
Felix
Guest
Wow, if that's true that's insanely quick. He can certainly flick the white ball at good pace, and the red too for sure, but he's had some frightening numbers in the past in short forms. Ashes bolter you think JGK?
JGK
Roar Guru
Johnson's last ball was apparently 96 mph.
Felix
Guest
With all due respect to India and this tour - if you were Watson would you be happy playing an inane ODI tournament weeks before you were supposed to go out and contest the ashes on home soil? He's had a long, long tour abroad and has a new baby in the fray as well. The bloke is probably just really, really bloody tired and could have done with a long rest! The scheduling of this series beggars belief. It doesn't do justice to anyone, India deserve to have Australia's best team over there and Australia deserve to fight for every series, regardless of the format. I would have preferred this to be the ODI series after the Ashes, we will have played England plenty of times and who says we need a swag of ODI's hosted in Australia in Summer any more? It's becoming a defunct format, so play this series in late Jan, early Feb in India and broadcast it live here.
Raju Kumar
Guest
Today nice India v/s Australia