India vs Australia Prediction: These two teams are top contenders of winning the cup

India and Australia are going head to head in the 5th game of the ICC World Cup 2023 at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, India on 8th October. These two teams are top contenders of winning the cup . Who will win this game?

The Indian team has been in outstanding form recently and currently holds the top ranking in all three formats as per the latest ICC rankings. Since the beginning of the year, India has only suffered 5 defeats out of 18 completed matches. They have achieved series victories against New Zealand, West Indies, and Australia, in addition to winning the Asia Cup.

Although India's warm-up matches were both washed out, this isn't a major concern for the team as it allowed the players to rest and recharge before facing the strong Australian side. One of the most promising aspects of India's recent success is the balanced contributions from almost all players.

The batting lineup, featuring Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubhman Gill, and KL Rahul, has all been in good form and is eager to face Australia's formidable pace attack. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have impressive records against Australia. However, there is some concern regarding the fitness of Shubman Gill, who has reportedly been battling a fever.

The selection between Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav for this match will be intriguing.

India boasts two quality all-rounders in Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. Jasprit Bumrah has made a successful recovery from his injury and is back in excellent form.

Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami delivered outstanding performances in the Asia Cup and the bilateral series against Australia, adding strength to the formidable pace attack.

Ravichandran Ashwin, a late addition to the squad, enhances the spin department alongside Kuldeep Yadav. There are no glaring weaknesses in this Indian lineup, and on a Chennai pitch that typically favors spinners to some extent, the role of their two or three spinners will be crucial.

Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Australia, the most successful team in World Cup history with 5 titles, enters this tournament as a favorite and aims for a strong start.

Despite a recent 5-match losing streak, an unusual slump for them, Australia regained some confidence by winning their last international fixture against India and defeating Pakistan in a warm-up match.

Australia's strength lies in its formidable top order, led by the in-form David Warner and opener Mitchell Marsh. Marsh, one of the team's many all-rounders alongside Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Sean Abbott, adds versatility and depth to the squad.

This abundance of all-round talent makes Australia a formidable opponent. Players like Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, or Marnus Labuschagne can provide valuable support to Adam Zampa, the team's primary spinner in Chennai. Australia's batting depth extends to number 8 or even 9, showcasing their remarkable lineup.

In the bowling department, Australia is expected to unleash their top talents, featuring Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. However, they have limited spin options, with Adam Zampa being the sole full-time spinner on the team.

Australia has a strong track record in major tournaments, elevating their performance on the grand stage. Their extended stay in the country ahead of the tournament works in their favor, highlighting their commitment to delivering a top-notch performance.

David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc 

Batting first at Chennai's M. A. Chidambaram Stadium has proven advantageous, with a win rate exceeding 58%, compared to a 33% win rate while chasing. Thus, we anticipate that the toss-winning captain will opt to bat first. The pitch at this stadium is generally considered favorable for batting but tends to offer some assistance to spinners. It provides consistent bounce early on, enabling batsmen to play their shots with ease against the new ball, but it can become trickier as the ball softens. Fast bowlers must maintain precision in line and length to avoid conceding runs.

In recent matches, the average first-innings score here has hovered around 250. However, the team batting first will aim for a total exceeding 280 to provide their bowlers a competitive advantage. Spinners are expected to come into play during the second half as the pitch slows down.

The weather in Chennai will remain warm and humid, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. India and Australia are among the strongest teams in the tournament, promising a hard-fought contest. Considering both teams' recent form, India holds a slight edge with its well-balanced and in-form squad.

Additionally, the home conditions in Chennai are likely to favor the Indian team. While a full-strength Australian team should not be underestimated, it might face challenges in starting the tournament with a win.

Our prediction is to bet on India to win the match.