India will take on Australia in the 5th One Day International (ODI) at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack on Saturday after the previous game scheduled at Ranchi was washed out. The Aussies lead the seven-match ODI series 2-1.
Where to Watch Live:
The 5th ODI match will begin at 01:30 pm IST on Saturday and it will be telecast live in India on Star Sports, Star Cricket and ESPN channels.
Overview:
With rain having played spoilsport at Ranchi, India didn't get chance to level the series. Australia posted a score of 295 with George Bailey and Glenn Maxwell short of just a few runs from big tons in the 4th ODI but it was stopped due to rains just when Indian innings had started.
The 5th ODI at Cuttack also faces threat of being abandoned following incessant rains for the last few days. Officials said that the match is very likely to be called off and date for ticket refund would be announced.
Previous Meetings:
Australia have 66-38 win-loss ODI record against India in 113 matches, out of which nine games were abandoned.
Team News:
India: Ishant Sharma and Vinay Kumar are very likely to be left out, giving way for Mohammad Shami and Jaydev Unadkat. Kumar was fielded in the previous match but given his performance this series, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has better chance to make it to the playing XI.
Australia: The visitors are likely to retain the same squad that played the 4th ODI despite poor form of all-rounder Shane Watson.
Preview:
The main worry factor for skipper MS Dhoni was the bowlers, who allowed the visitors to score at will. Mohammad Shami, who took three wickets for 21 runs in six overs in the previous match, could be the answer to fill the hollowness in India's bowling.
With the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina in the batting line-up, India have fair chance of winning provided the bowlers restrict the score of the visitors below 300.
On the other hand, Australia will be concerned on the inconsistent form of the batsmen. They almost ended up with a low score in the previous abandoned match if not for George Bailey (98) and Glenn Maxwell (92). With Aaron Finch, Adam Voges and Phillip Hughes in the batting line-up, they are capable of scoring big.
The visitors will be happy with the way the bowlers have adapted to Indian condition. Mitchell Johnson, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty and James Faulkner are in good shape, and they will have to take early wickets if they are to restrict the score of the opponents.
Prediction:
India are expected to bounce back and win the 5th ODI.
Squads:
India: MS Dhoni (captain), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Shami Ahmed, Jaydev Unadkat, Ravichandran Ashwin, Vinay Kumar, Amit Mishra, Ambati Rayudu
Australia: George Bailey (captain), Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Johnson, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Clint McKay
