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In cricket, where every series serves as a preparatory ground for bigger tournaments, strategy and game plans are always under the microscope. Australia's captain, Australia skipper Pat Cummins, however, dismissed all such speculations ahead of the ODI series opener at the PCA Stadium in Mohali against India. When asked about Australia's game plan to counter the red-hot Mohammed Siraj, Cummins had a succinct response. "No," he stated during the pre-match press conference.
Considering the spectacular feat achieved by Siraj in the Asia Cup 2023 final against Sri Lanka, this question was inevitable. Siraj not only leveled Chaminda Vaas' record for the fastest five-wicket haul in ODI history, but he also decimated the Sri Lankan batting lineup for a paltry total of 50, clinching five wickets in a mere 17 balls. His continuous seven-over spell had staggering figures of 6/21, leading India to bowl Sri Lanka out for their lowest ever score in ODIs. These figures stand as India's best in the Asia Cup and, had it not been for Hardik Pandya's swift dismissals at the end, Siraj could've outpaced Stuart Binny's record for India's best-ever bowling figures. Moreover, these outstanding performances propelled Siraj to the pinnacle of the ICC ODI bowler rankings.
However, Siraj isn't an unfamiliar opponent for the Australians. His Test debut, which played a pivotal role in India clinching the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil, is well etched in memory. Siraj, along with India's pace front-runner Jasprit Bumrah, will undoubtedly challenge the Australian batting order. Yet, Cummins, embodying the Australian ethos, remained tight-lipped about their strategy.
Cummins, however, shed light on the team's broader objective. "Want to strike a balance between getting used to the conditions and getting a few wins under our belts," he expressed. The upcoming matches serve as an opportunity for Australia to experiment with different team combinations and adapt to Indian conditions. "As a captain, I want to get used to how to use my bowlers here. Might be a bit different to South Africa and Australia. Does the second spinner play a part? Hopefully, we'll get a few answers to that in the next few games," he elaborated.
On the other hand, India have given a strategic break to their stalwarts, resting skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav for the initial matches of the series. One of the primary goals for India will be to identify a suitable replacement for Axar Patel, who suffered an injury during the Asia Cup. The contenders for this spot are the seasoned R Ashwin and the promising Washington Sundar.
With both teams gearing up and strategising, the upcoming ODI series between Australia and India promises thrilling cricketing action and will set the tone for the ODI World Cup 2023.
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