Australia or India? Aaron Finch predicts winner of the upcoming ODI series

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India are set to begin a new era in ODI cricket as Shubman Gill takes charge as the team’s captain for the three-match series against Australia. The series is scheduled to kick off in Perth on October 19, marking Gill’s first assignment as India’s 50-over leader. The Indian squad, announced recently, features experienced campaigners Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who will provide guidance and support to the new skipper in his leadership debut. With this blend of youth and experience, India aim to challenge Australia on their home soil and set the tone for a competitive series.

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch, widely regarded for his exploits against India during his international career, has shared his predictions for the upcoming ODI clash. Finch believes the series will be tightly fought, with Australia narrowly edging out India.

Finch’s prediction reflects his deep understanding of both sides. He noted that the presence of seasoned players like Rohit and Kohli in the Indian squad could make the contest unpredictable, adding excitement to what he expects to be a thrilling series. The former Australian opener also emphasized that India’s white-ball credentials are strong, which could make for a series that remains competitive until the final match.

“It will be a great series. It always is against India and I think having Virat back in there brings out the best in him against Australia. It’s always a great battle when you look at it on paper as it’s very evenly matched, but I’d say Australia (win the series) 2-1. Not confidently though as India are a great side and it will just be a great series to watch,” Finch told ICC Digital.

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Beyond predicting the series outcome, Finch expressed his interest in observing Gill’s leadership approach in the ODI format. He highlighted the young captain’s successful stints in T20 and Test cricket, praising his calm demeanor and tactical acumen. Gill added that the guidance of Rohit and Kohli on the field will be invaluable for Gill, providing the new captain with a supportive environment as he navigates his debut series. Finch also remarked on Gill’s batting prowess and consistency in white-ball cricket, noting that these qualities, combined with his leadership skills, make him a promising figure for the future of Indian cricket.

“Shubman has already shown what a good leader he is in T20 cricket and Test cricket, so I’m sure this will be no different. He’s a brilliant player, particularly in the white-ball formats and the way that he captained against England in the Test series is just a huge tick in his box to take the next step and takeover the Indian leadership right the way through (all three formats),” added Finch.

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