Favourites and hosts India begin their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 journey at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 8 versus Australia. Both teams will want to start their campaign on a high. Recently, India beat Australia 2-1 in a three-match ODI series and will go into this contest in an upbeat mood. 2023 Asia Cup winners India have met the Aussies in 149 ODI matches to date. Australia have won 86 to India’s 56. 10 matches have had no results. At the World Cup, across 12 meetings, India have won four, with the Aussies bagging eight wins.
Fans could be braced for some massive milestones and records in this India-Australia World Cup contest. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma leads the way as he closes in on a rare World Cup feat. Meanwhile, Australia’s left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc is also chasing history. Besides, several other marquee players are aiming to write their names in the record books. Ahead of the contest, we analyse the mega milestones and records on offer.
1000 World Cup runs for Rohit Sharma
Rohit has scored 978 runs in the ICC Cricket World Cup at a stupendous 65.20. He is now 22 runs shy of getting to 1,000 World Cup runs. Rohit can become the fourth Indian cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar (2278), Virat Kohli (1030), and Sourav Ganguly (1006) in terms of World Cup runs. Overall, he can become the 22nd player in World Cup history with this milestone.
Most sixes in international cricket
As per ESPNcricinfo, Rohit has mustered 17642 international runs across formats. Notably, 10112 runs have come in ODI cricket. Rohit, who is known to be a specialist in clearing the ropes, is aiming to steer past Chris Gayle in terms of the most sixes in international cricket. Gayle finished his international career with 19593 runs and went on to smash 553 sixes. Rohit has 551 maximums and needs three to go past Gayle.
Rohit can leave Sachin behind with a ton
Rohit has smashed six centuries in ICC World Cup history. He is on level with Sachin in terms of most World Cup tons. One century versus the Aussies on Sunday will see Rohit steer clear of Sachin and become the player with the most tons in World Cup history.
Starc can join Akram in an elite company
Australian speedster Starc has claimed a total of 49 wickets at 14.81 at the ICC World Cup. He is the second-highest wicket-taker among left-arm pacers. With one wicket, Starc can become just the second left-arm pacer to claim 50-plus scalps after former Pakistan legend Wasim Akram, who managed 55 scalps at 23.83. Meanwhile, Starc can become just the fifth bowler in World Cup history to claim 50-plus scalps. He can also become the second Aussie after Glenn McGrath (71) to take 50 or more wickets.
Starc can surpass Malinga’s power play record
Starc owns a stellar 73 ODI scalps in the power play overs (1-10). Notably, he is tied with Lasith Malinga in this record at the second place. With one wicket, Starc can steer clear of Malinga and become the outright second-highest wicket-taker in power play in ODIs. New Zealand’s Trent Boult leads the show with 87 scalps.
1000 World Cup runs for David Warner
Australian opener David Warner has clocked 992 runs in ICC World Cup history at a solid 62.00. Warner needs eight runs to become the fourth Aussie with 1000-plus World Cup runs. He can also become the third-highest scorer for Australia in the World Cup by surpassing Mark Waugh (1004). Warner (4) can also equal Ricky Ponting’s tally of 5 World Cup tons (joint-best for Australia).
1000 ODI runs at home for KL Rahul
Indian versatile batter KL Rahul owns 2291 runs in ODIs at 47.72. Rahul has been in strong form since his return from injury. Notably, Rahul is closing in on 1000 ODI runs on home soil. He has amassed 969 runs from 31 matches at 51.00 with the help of two tons and seven fifties.
100 international wickets against Australia at home for Jadeja
Indian all-rounder Ravindran Jadeja has played 39 matches across formats versus Australia at home. He owns 99 wickets versus the Aussies at a superb 24.89. Jadeja now needs one scalp to clock a milestone of 100. Overall, he has 139 wickets in international cricket versus Australia.
3500 ODI runs for Maxwell
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell can have a maximum impact in the middle order. Maxwell, who has 3495 runs in ODIs, is five short of 3500. He has an average of 33.60 in ODIs. Meanwhile, the senior cricketer can also get past 1000 ODI runs against India. He owns 926 runs at 35.61.
Virat Kohli can achieve this record at Chepauk
Indian talisman Virat Kohli is aiming for a massive feat at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. In eight ODI matches here, Kohli has amassed 337 runs at 42.12. He has one ton and three fifties. Kohli can now become the top scorer in ODIs at Chepauk. He can get past MS Dhoni, who leads the tally with 401 runs.
3rd player with this record in India-Australia ODIs
Kohli owns 2228 runs in India versus Australia matches. He averages 53.04 and is the third-highest scorer. Notably, Kohli is aiming to become the third player with 200-plus fours in IND-AUS matches. Sachin (330) and Adam Gilchrist (209) are the two batters with this record.
Smith eyes four digits on Asian soil
Australian talisman Steve Smith surpassed 5000 ODI runs recently. He has 5054 runs at 44.23. Smith, who holds a decent record at the subcontinent, is closing in on 1000 runs in Asia. Smith has racked up 944 runs in Asia at 39.33. He has 536 runs in India.
Labuschagne can become the first Aussie with this feat in 2023
Marnus Labuschagne is enjoying a solid run of form. He is the top scorer for the Aussies in ODIs this year. He owns 464 runs at 51.55. Labuschagne needs 36 runs against India to become the first Aussie to score 500-plus ODI runs this year.