The ICC released the fixtures for the ODI World Cup, revealing that India and Australia will kickstart their campaigns with a match in Chennai on October 8. Traditionally, Chennai’s conditions have favored spin bowling. Ricky Ponting, a two-time World Cup-winning captain, believes that India holds an advantage due to the conditions, but he remains confident in Australia’s ability to rise to the challenge.
India and Australia clashed in the finals of the World Test Championship, resulting in a 209-run victory for Pat Cummins’ team. In recent ICC knockout events, India has faced unfortunate outcomes. As hosts of the upcoming ODI World Cup, India will aim to break the streak and perform well on their home turf in October-November.
“It’d be a great spectacle that’s one thing I do know, what a great opening game for Australia to be able to play the host nation in a venue like Chennai,”
Ponting said.
“The upgrade of the stadium is awesome, we know what we can expect from the wicket there. It’s probably be a little bit on the slower side and probably there’s going to be a bit of spin. But the Australians will have the time to get there and get prepared for that conditions wise they’d favour India. But Australia have got a very proud record of white-ball cricket in the subcontinent. So, I’m sure they’ll probably go into that game very confident,”
he further added.
Maybe a bit of payback for the WTC final: Nasser Hussain
“Massive occasion, two brilliant sides, India the hosts against Australia. Maybe a bit of paycheck for the WTC final, these two sides will be there I reckon in the knockout stages. A great venue to have the two of the biggest names in world cricket,”
Hussain said.
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