Cricket News: India to take on Australia in 1st ODI in Sydney

Team India is all set to play their first ODI match of the three-match series against mighty Australia down under where the target is nothing but victory. Of India’s almost two-months-long tour, the Men-in-Blue will play their first match after a gap of almost nine months and so will be the Australians. India, apart from missing star opening batsman Rohit Sharma, are also short on bowling options due to the absence of all-rounders. Australia, on the other hand, have plenty of all-rounders to choose from and that gives them options with the bat and ball. The last time India played Down Under, on their tour in 2018-19, they won the series 2-1 going against the usual trend in Australia over the years which has seen Australia have a dominant record against them. In 51 matches they have played against Australia in Australia, India have won just 13 times including the two last time. They have lost 36 matches to Australia in their own backyard.