India host Australia for a three-match ODI series starting September 22. Both sides will use this series as a rehearsal for the ICC Cricket World Cup in India, starting October 5. India and Australia are both seen as hot favorites for the global event and over the years, we have witnessed some cracking bilateral series on offer. India and Australia have met each other on 146 occasions. India have bagged 54 wins to Australia’s 82. 10 matches have seen no results.
For India, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya will be rested for the first two matches. KL Rahul will lead the side. Australia see the majority of their regular senior players return and will go all out to gain vitality. Several players are on the verge of racing to crucial milestones and records. Ahead of the series, we present you the same.
Steve Smith closing in on 5,000 ODI runs
Australia maestro Steve Smith is excited and ready for the series and the World Cup. Smith is closing in on 5,000 ODI runs. He needs 61 runs to reach the landmark. He has 4939 runs in ODIs at 44.49. He can become the 17th Aussie player to clock 5000-plus runs in ODI cricket. Smith can also become the fifth-highest scorer for Australia in ODIs versus India. He has accumulated 1145 runs at 57.25. He is in line to surpass former legend David Boon, who scored 1212 runs.
Smith set to complete 500 ODI runs in India
Smith has so far amassed 421 runs in India from 11 innings at 42.10. He needs 79 to reach a mark of 500. Moreover, he is also closing in on 50 ODI fours in India (44). Smith can also get to 1000 runs in Asia, having amassed 829 runs at 39.47.
Maxwell can achieve these massive records
Glenn Maxwell will miss the first ODI but is likely to feature in the next two matches. Maxwell has amassed 3490 runs in ODIs at 33.88. He needs 10 more to achieve a total of 3500. He is also in line to get past Mark Taylor, who managed 3514 runs. Meanwhile, the dashing all-rounder is also closing in on 1000 ODI runs versus India. He has so far managed 921 runs at 36.84. He can become the 12th Aussie to score 1000 or more runs versus India.
Stoinis set for these milestones
Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has 1371 runs in ODIs and needs 129 more to complete 1500. He has an average of 27.42. Stoinis is also closing in on 50 sixes in ODIs, having smashed 45 maximums to date. With the ball, he has 44 scalps and is six shy of the 50-wicket mark. Stoinis is also set to complete 500 ODI runs versus India, having managed 409.
100 ODI sixes for Warner
David Warner loves batting against India, and he will be a pivotal force for the visitors. Warner, who has smashed 99 ODI maximums, needs one more to register a mark of 100. Warner has 6236 runs in ODIs and is set to surpass former West Indies legend Richie Richardson (6248). Warner is also closing in on 1,000 runs in Asia. He has so far scored 915 runs at 36.60.
KL Rahul set to complete 1000 ODI runs at home
KL Rahul has 392 runs versus the Aussies and is 108 short of 500. He averages 43.55 versus Australia. Rahul, who has 2155 ODI runs, is two shy of 50 maximums (48). Rahul has 833 runs at home in ODIs at 49.00. He is closing in on 1000 runs on home soil.
Shami and Jadeja in store for these milestones
Mohammed Shami owns 32 scalps versus Australia at an average of 34.71. He needs five wickets to become the second-highest wicket-taker for India versus Australia. Shami needs five scalps to get past Ajit Agarkar (36). Kapil Dev (45) holds the record. Shami has dismissed left-handed batters on 49 occasions in ODIs. He needs one more to clock a figure of 50. Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Ravindran Jadeja owns 30 scalps versus Australia at 58.66. Jadeja needs three wickets to surpass Harbhajan Singh (32) to become the most successful Indian spinner against Australia.
Unique records in store for Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, as mentioned above, will miss the first two ODIs. He will return for the third clash. Kohli, who has 19 fifty-plus scores versus Australia, can become the second Indian with 20 or more such scores. He will join Sachin Tendulkar, who owns 24 fifty-plus scores. Kohli is also closing in on 200 fours versus Australia. He has smashed 192 so far. Kohli has 5447 runs on home soil at 57.94. He needs 53 runs in the 3rd ODI to register a milestone of 5500.