Ind/Aus 2013 Third ODI: Mohali - Match Analysis

After the first two matches between India and Australia, the two sides now stand 1-1 in the series with the third match scheduled in Mohali. 

Both the teams have did well in showing their strength, particularly with the bat. Putting up 300 plus totals in the first two games show, how well the teams are producing the consistent batting display.

Australia have reasonably did well while batting against India. It is to be noted that Australia opened the batting in both the earlier fixtures at Pune and Jaipur. Which means Australia were not under pressure chasing the total in the second innings.

It will be interesting to see how the teams perform at Mohali, which is a more balanced pitch than we have seen in the earlier matches. Pitch at Mohali usually carries pace and bounce, assists bowlers and batsman evenly.

A score of around 300 would be a challenging one on this surface. Also the match being a day and nighter, there would be dew factor in the second innings of the game.

So the team winning the toss will probably look to bat first as it would be difficult to grip the ball under the lights. And it will not be a free run scoring pitch that we have seen in Jaipur. 

India need to look at its bowling options again as it has conceded 300 plus totals in both the outings. 

It is particularly harsh on the part of the bowlers in this age of big hitting cricket, with more and more T20 Cricket, the bowlers are always under pressure. 

Ashok Dinda should be considered in place of Vinay Kumar, if team think tank is expecting nip and bounce from the wicket.

Pitches in the sub continent particularly are not favourable for seamers in particular, where they do not have the nip and bounce found in green wickets in other parts of the world. 

It is difficult to select the Australian bowling lineup, as all of the bowlers were taken to task by inform Virat Kohli. The strategy should be to bowl in good areas consistently. 

Mohali match could assist Australia slightly in the bowling department as the track is not as flat as it was in Jaipur.

Team batting first and scoring around 300 will have a distinct advantage and any total around 270 would be difficult to defend.

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