Autratila Won Toss and Chose to Bat in Opening Match of 2023 Cricket World Cup

In the opening match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Australia's captain, Pat Cummins, has won the toss and opted to bat first at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. This encounter between India and Australia promises to add another chapter to their historic rivalry, provided the weather remains favorable, setting the stage for a thrilling Sunday showdown. Both teams enter the match without clear favorites. India managed to defeat a weakened Australian side in the recent ODI series, but the return of key players like Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc has bolstered the Australian squad. Nevertheless, India appears to have a slight edge with their star players returning from injuries, strong performances in the Asia Cup, and standout players like Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Kuldeep Yadav. India may need to make a change in their opening pair due to Shubman Gill's absence, as he is recovering from dengue. Ishan Kishan is expected to partner with Rohit Sharma. The dilemma of selecting between Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur for the No. 8 position is also a point of contention. However, the pitch conditions at Chepauk might favor Ashwin. For Australia, the mission is clear after a series of defeats against South Africa and India. They last played in Chennai in March, securing a victory thanks in part to Adam Zampa's excellent performance. Zampa could pose a challenge again, although Australia faces uncertainties with injuries to Marcus Stoinis and Travis Head. Despite initial concerns about low attendance, the World Cup may finally see a revival in interest, especially with India playing on a Sunday. The passionate cricket fans in Chennai have a deep affection for the sport, making an India-Australia clash a potentially exciting spectacle. Key Points for the India vs Australia World Cup Clash: India has beaten Australia only four times in World Cup history. Shubman Gill's absence due to dengue may lead to Ishan Kishan opening with Rohit Sharma. Virat Kohli is the only current Indian squad member with an ODI century at Chepauk. Australia has lost four out of their last five ODIs. Ravichandran Ashwin is likely to be in India's Playing XI alongside Kuldeep Yadav. Australia has an unbeaten record at Chepauk in World Cup matches, winning all three previous games.