In the Wankhede Stadium, India’s acting captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bowl against Australia in the first of a three-match ODI series. Pandya, who has commanded India 11 times in the shortest format, is taking over as captain today for the more experienced Rohit Sharma.
First, we’ll bowl. The track is excellent, and the dew factor will be present. In the second inning, we believe we will do well. Pandya said before the toss, “I got some time off. Breaks are like gold dust for me so they provided me an opportunity to rest and improve.
Steven Smith, the interim captain of Australia, was relieved to be given the opportunity to bat first because he wasn’t sure what he would have done if he had won the toss.
Toss was good to lose. I was happy to bat first because I wasn’t sure what to do. After the toss, Smith told Star Sports that we had to do our best to adapt to these circumstances and find the perfect combinations with the [ICC Cricket] World Cup in mind.
Why Is Rohit Sharma Not Playing Today vs Australia?
The host team has made four changes to the Starting XI from the match against New Zealand in Indore in January as they play their first ODI in the previous six weeks. Sharma, Washington Sundar, Umran Malik, and Yuzvendra Chahal have been replaced by KL Rahul, the wicket-keeper batsman, Ravindra Jadeja, and the fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj.
When the team was revealed last month, Sharma’s absence from this game was confirmed. Due to family obligations, Mr. Rohit Sharma would be unable to play in the opening ODI, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has already said in a statement. Readers should be aware that Sharma will not be participating in this match due to the marriage of his brother-in-law.
Rohit Sharma s dance at his brother-in-law s marriage. pic.twitter.com/TTqalgeQH2
Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 17, 2023
Australia is currently engaged in an ODI after nearly four months. Australia has also made four changes to their starting lineup after their most recent match against the world champions England in Melbourne.
In their place are wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, all-rounders Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell, fast bowler Mitchell Starc, opening batter David Warner, wicketkeeper batter Alex Carey, regular captain Pat Cummins, and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.
