India Vs Australia: One of the competitors is the highly anticipated home favorite, while the other is renowned for their dominance in World Cups. Both teams recognize the necessity of a strong start to secure any chance of gaining two points. Hardik Pandya, who recently returned after resting during the ODI series against Australia, holds a pivotal role within India’s lineup. Beyond his impressive batting skills, he is a reliable third seamer in white-ball cricket, allowing India to select an extra seamer or spinner, depending on the conditions.
India Vs Australia | 5th Match World Cup 2023
India’s team-building efforts have largely focused on including six bowlers without compromising their batting depth, and Hardik Pandya is the key to achieving this balance. Facing Australia in a cricket World Cup is a daunting challenge right from the outset, as it’s a prospect that can send shivers down any player’s spine. Although this Australian team differs from the dominant squads of 1999, 2003, or 2007 and has certain weaknesses, notably in the spin department, it is still expected to reach the semi-finals at least.
India knows they won’t encounter many tougher opponents in this tournament, as there are no accessible introductions. With its straw-colored appearance and black soil, the pitch will likely encourage India to opt for three spinners. Chepauk typically offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, as indicated by the last eight first-innings scores in ODIs at this venue, ranging from 227 to 299. Notably, the team batting first has emerged victorious on six occasions.

Venue/Date: Chennai, October 08, 2023
India (probable XI): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill/Ishan Kishan, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer/Suryakumar Yadav, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed Siraj
Australia (probable XI): 1 David Warner, 2 Mitchell Marsh, 3 Steven Smith, 4 Marnus Labuschagne, 5 Cameron Green, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Glenn Maxwell, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Pat Cummins (capt), 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Adam Zampa