ICC World Cup 2023: Chennai gears up for the big battle between India and Australia

The long-awaited moment has finally arrived as Team India embarks on its World Cup campaign today. Led by Rohit Sharma, the men in blue will face Australia in their inaugural match of the tournament, and the iconic Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is set to be the battleground.

Since claiming the World Cup title in 2011, India has faced disappointment in the semifinals of the subsequent two editions in 2015 and 2019. This time, Team India is determined to break the jinx and seize the championship. Hosting on home turf provides a valuable advantage, and the team appears exceptionally well-balanced, with every aspect of their game in order. The players are brimming with confidence following their recent triumph in the Asia Cup. The batting lineup boasts substantial power, featuring the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Ishan Kishan. Unfortunately, Shubman Gill won't be available for the first match as he is down with Dengue. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will serve as the all-round options, while the pace attack will be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Ravi Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav will provide the spin options on the turning track.

Meanwhile, Australia enters the World Cup with a different level of energy, having claimed the title in 2015 but experiencing disappointment in the 2019 semifinals. They are now considered strong contenders for the championship. The top-order batters - David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne - are in superb form, adding to Australia's advantage. Captain Pat Cummins leads the bowling attack, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood handling the pace duties, and Adam Zampa taking care of the spin. Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green bring all-round capabilities to the team.

India is relying on a spin-heavy bowling lineup, while Australia leans on its pace options. The match is scheduled to commence at 2 PM and will be telecasted on the Star Sports Network, with streaming available on Disney+ Hotstar.