Australia vs India 2018-19: Key observations for both Australia and India from the ODI series
The three-match ODI series between Australia and India has thrown up some interesting observations about both teams at this point in their World Cup preparations.
Australia have some reason to be confident that they can bat for 50 overs, particularly in the absence of Steven Smith and David Warner. Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb and Marcus Stoinis have scored runs, and Glenn Maxwell has impressed while batting at No. 7.
India will take confidence from the form MS Dhoni has shown, as he registered three half-centuries from three matches. However, they are no closer to identifying their backup bowlers, with Khaleel Ahmed and Ravindra Jadeja proving ineffective so far.
With the World Cup in mind, here are a few observations on each team.
Australia
1) Shaun Marsh's consistency:
Shaun Marsh has been Australia's best batsman in ODI cricket since Steven Smith and David Warner were suspended. With 640 runs at an average of 64 since his recall last year, he can be assured of a place at the World Cup this year.
2) Middle order stability:
Peter Handscomb impressed in the ODI series with two half-centuries from three innings while batting in the middle order, giving the selectors another option to consider. While Glenn Maxwell has shown some form batting at No. 7, questions remain over whether that is the ideal position for him to bat.
3) Spin bowling concerns:
Nathan Lyon was wicketless in the first two matches, resulting in Australia dropping him for the final ODI and replacing him with Adam Zampa. While Zampa impressed with an economy rate of 3.40 in the final ODI, he was also wicketless.
With 10 ODI matches left before the World Cup, it remains to be seen which of the two is the better wicket-taking option.
4) Pace bowling depth:
Jason Behrendorff and Jhye Richardson performed well in the ODI series, with Behrendorff playing as a like-for-like replacement for Mitchell Starc and Richardson returning figures of 4/26 in the first ODI.
With Peter Siddle and Billy Stanlake, Australia have pace bowling depth to cover for Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
India
1) MS Dhoni's form:
India will find positives in MS Dhoni's form so far, with three half-centuries in three innings. His role in the lower batting order is still debatable, but he has shown that he can play an accumulator role whilst allowing others to play a more aggressive role.
2) Dinesh Karthik and Kedar Jadhav as finishers:
Karthik has shown that he can play the role of a finisher in ODI cricket, having done so effectively in T20I cricket. With Dhoni's transition from finisher to an accumulator in the batting order, Karthik along with Kedar Jadhav have shown that they can take up the mantle from Dhoni.
3) Hardik Pandya's absence:
With Pandya suspended India's team balance suffered, as Pandya played the role of the third seamer and provided lower order firepower with the bat. But Vijay Shankar is someone who can be seen as a like-for-like replacement for Pandya, and he impressed with his bowling in the third ODI.
4) The No. 4 position:
Ambati Rayudu had a good series against West Indies batting at No. 4 but had a horrible series against Australia, making way for Kedar Jadhav in the final ODI.
With Dhoni moving up to No. 4 to allow the team to play Jadhav as an additional bowling option, it remains to be seen how Rayudu fits in India's plans for the World Cup.