Australia will be without Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell for today's (September 22) first ODI against India at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium. According to captain Pat Cummins, both stars are recovering from previous injuries. While Cummins expects to play in all three fixtures, the absence of Starc and Maxwell is a blow to a team that is desperately trying to finalize its best possible lineup for the upcoming ODI World Cup.
Mitchell Starc, prized for his lethal pace and control, is missing the first game due to a lingering groin injury. This physical setback has been a recurring problem for the left-arm bowler since his time in the UK for the Ashes and the World Test Championship Final. Despite this, the captain remains hopeful that Starc will be fit for the second and third ODIs.
It is a significant loss for the visitors to miss out on Glenn Maxwell's explosive batting. Maxwell was highly anticipated to make his comeback and prove his value on the international stage after being absent during the tour of South Africa. Sadly, he has been ruled out of the series opener.
Even with these roster gaps, Pat Cummins is determined to lead by example. Having missed the South Africa series himself due to a wrist fracture sustained during the Ashes, the 30-year-old pacer has confirmed he is now fully recovered and ready for all three ODIs. Cummins highlighted that the priority right now is experimenting with player combinations to ensure the team is in peak condition for the World Cup.
Cummins is placing a lot of faith in Marnus Labuschagne, who has been playing exceptionally well lately. The captain believes Labuschagne is a strong contender for the final 15-man World Cup squad and expects him to play a pivotal role in this series. His ability to step up was already evident during the South Africa series when he filled in for the concussed Cameron Green.
In terms of strategy, Cummins suggested that leg-spinner Adam Zampa might be entrusted with the death overs against India. Although Zampa struggled a bit in South Africa, his knack for taking late wickets and slowing down the scoring rate could be key. Using Zampa in this way would also help reduce the physical pressure on the fast bowlers.
With their World Cup journey beginning on October 8 against India, this series is a golden opportunity for the Australian team to get used to the local conditions and test out different tactical setups.