What Second ODI of the tri-nation series When January 18, 2015 Where Melbourne Cricket Ground The Teams India After putting up a fight in the Test series against Australia, India now gear up for a rigorous couple of months ahead with all eyes on the bigger picture - The World Cup. Expectations from an Indian ODI outfit is far more than the one in whites and one expects the colour blue to be a mark of champions and dominance. India meet familiar foes in Australia in their first ODI of the tri-nation series. One could label the series as a perfect platform to try out batting and bowling combinations, identify players for the occasion and work out strategies before the marquee event next month. In the process India also have to be wary of the tournament at hand and keep in mind that a good show this series will keep them in good stead for the World Cup. As far as injuries are concerned, captain MS Dhoni is in no mood to risk his players who will be crucial in India’s World cup campaign. Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja have niggles that need to be attended to and the Indian captain has made it clear that the duo will be unavailable for selection in their first ODI at the MCG. Apart from these exclusions, India have other options in their squad to play with and one can expect a lot of chop and change in the playing eleven this series with a view to having a stable combination ahead of the World Cup. Australia The hosts are on a roll. They steam rolled England in the first ODI and showcased what a complete side they were. Pin point fielding, disciplined bowling and dominant batting displays meant Australia registered a resounding win with a bonus point under their belt. If it was Mitchell Starc with the ball who did the job for Australia it was David Warner who complemented his teammate’s efforts with a match-winning century to blow away the English bowling. It was Warner’s first century in ODI colours since 2012 and it sure did taste sweet when it came on a ground that is so close to his heart - the SCG. Australia are well aware of their opponents and one can expect them to be as ruthless as they were against England come Sunday. They have a win under their belt, the first points on the board and the momentum swinging their way. Captain George Bailey in his true usual self has led his side successfully with an easy smile on his face and it will be no different at the MCG against India. Key Players India Suresh Raina might have a King Pair to his name in his return to Test cricket but expect Raina to be in beast mode when he dons the blue. He has been in good ODI form off late getting crucial half centuries in the home series against West Indies & Sri Lanka. He is a crucial fulcrum in the Indian batting order having proved to be a game changer for India in the past. A good tournament for Raina can send a few scares to the opponents before the all important World Cup. Australia Steven Smith is one example of a man in form. To claim that he has hit a purple patch would infact be an understatement; this after scoring four Test centuries in as many Tests in the recently concluded series against Australia. He got a good start in the first ODI against England scoring 37 in Australia’s run-chase only to be undone by Moeen Ali’s spin. Smith has the cricketing acumen to modify his game according to the format and one can expect better performances from Smith in the games to follow. Stat-Attack Average first innings score at MCG (overall): 218 Average first innings score at MCG (since 2000): 249 Average second innings score at MCG (overall): 194 Average second innings score at MCG (since 2000): 220 Result summary at MCG:

Head-to-head:

Last meeting between both sides at MCG: Feb 5, 2012- Australia 216-5 (32 overs), India 151 (32 overs). Australia won by 65 runs Form guide (most recent listed first): India: Won, Won, Won, Won, Won Australia: Won, Won, Won, Won, Lost Pace vs Spin at MCG (Who has been more effective) Since 2000

Trivia This is the first tri-series involving India, Australia and England. Last time these two sides met each other (in a bilateral series in India in 2013-14), Rohit Sharma aggregated 491 runs in 6 games at an average of 122.75 India have chased down a 250+ target only once against Australia in Australia. The Squads India: MS Dhoni (Captain), Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Md. Shami, Stuart Binny, Umesh Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Mohit Sharma. Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Shane Watson, Steven Smith, George Bailey (capt), Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin (wk), James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Josh Hazlewood,Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh .