India vs Australia 2013: Preview - India take on Australia in must-win 6th ODI

MS Dhoni and George Bailey: Both captains need a win tomorrow

Finally, cricket is all set to resume after a break of almost a week. Thanks to two back to back washouts, the ODI series between Australia and India still stands at 2-1 with the visitors in the lead.

Although the washouts were a complete disappointment for the fans in Ranchi and Cuttack, the break was welcomed by both teams after a frantic run feast in the first three ODIs and the lone T20. Both teams has had their problems with the bowling and the break must have given them enough time to wrinkle out the issues.

The 6th ODI, to be played in Nagpur at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, is a must win game for India if they have to keep the series alive but the Australians would love to sneak out a win and shut the door on the Indians.

India

Yuvraj Singh: Needs to fire badly

The number one ODI team in the world finds them in a bit of a fix. The fans expected India to steamroll Australia and take an unassailable lead by the 3rd ODI. However, it didn’t quite work out the way MS Dhoni would have hoped for.

After a successful Champions Trophy and series wins in West Indies and Zimbabwe, India suddenly has an abundance of problems to which they don’t seem to have solutions. Although the top three in the batting order and the captain has been in scintillating form, the short ball syndrome has affected the three trusted left – handers in the middle order.

Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja have found it immensely difficult to negotiate the fiery pace of Mitchell Johnson and have fallen prey to the “bang the ball in” strategy of the Aussies.

However, that isn’t the biggest headache for MS Dhoni. If an issue that demands immediate attention of the Indian captain is Indian’s death bowling. Irrespective of the flat wickets and the fast outfields, the Indian pace attack has lacked sting and has been taken to the cleaners by the Australian batsmen.

Ishant Sharma has taken himself out of the equation while Bhuvneshwar Kumar has failed to pick up the early wickets. The inclusion of Md. Shami, in the last game, gave MS Dhoni a semblance of hope but the form of Vinay Kumar and lack of pace of Jaydev Unadkat will be a constant worry for the Indian captain.

The spinners too, hasn’t had the best of outing. Although Jadeja has been economical, Ashwin’s lack of wickets has stung the Indians badly in the middle overs.

Australia

Mitchell Johnson: The star for the Australian team till now

Australia has sprang up quite a surprise for the Indians in this series. They have batted extremely well and their short ball strategy has worked wonders against the much touted Indian middle order. Their openers Aaron Finch has been in sparkling form, while Phil Hughes has found a new lease of life at the top of the order.

Although their star all-rounder, Shane Watson has had a lukewarm series, the form of George Bailey and the belligerent striking of Glen Maxwell has held Australia in good stead. Adam Voges has chipped in with his bit while James Faulkner delivered a killer blow in Mohali.

But the star for Australia has been the left arm pacer, Mitchell Jonson. The Mumbai Indians pacer has gone full tilt in this series and has rattled the Indian batsmen with his barrage of short pitch deliveries. Not only has he banged the ball in, he has done it with considerable pace to increase the degree of discomfort for the batsmen even on batting friendly tracks.

However, Australia does have a couple of areas to worry about. The form of their wicket keeper Brad Haddin has been patchy while their spin bowling looks a tad weak. Xavier Doherty, their only left-arm spinning option, has been economical but has failed to pick up the wickets and hence Bailey has had to resort to Mitch Johnson for getting the breakthroughs in the middle overs.

Teams

India will definitely make one change and bring Bhuvneshwar Kumar back in place of either Jaydev Unadkat or Vinay Kumar. However, the batting is expected to remain unchanged.

Expected XI India: MS Dhoni (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, R, Ashwin, Md, Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Vinay Kumar/Jaydev Unadkat.

Australia looks a set XI and after the last game, they will look to go in with the same team.

Expected XI Australia: George Bailey (c), Aaron Finch, Phil Hughes, Shane Watson, Glen Maxwell, Adam Voges, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Johnson, Clint McKay

Prediction: An Indian victory to keep the series alive but Australia will be tough to knock over.