The roll of dice seems to be in Australia’s favour (Column: Close-in)

By Yajurvindra Singh Millions of Indian cricket fans will finally watch their team in action on Friday. The three-match One-day International series Down Under against Australia is just the tasteful appetiser that every cricket lover would be looking forward to, before the T20 and the Test series follow. The Indian Premier League (IPL) did bring in some excitement but a duel between two of the top international sides in the world is an entirely different ball game.
Both India and Australia have some fabulous and exciting players in their sides. With national colours and pride behind their backs, a good personal performance and winning becomes very important to them.
Australia have shown over the years to be a very good side in this format. They are a formidable side to play against and visiting teams have to play brilliant cricket to beat them in their own backyard. Although, India did win the last ODI series against them in 2018-19, one feels Australia have the edge over them this time around.
India last played as a team around nine months ago. Although the bio-secured bubble could help them gel better through team activities, playing as a team in a match is altogether different. The Indian team will need to get their act in place very quickly or else they may find themselves playing catching cook for the remainder of the tour.
Australia, on the other hand, have played and won a three-match series recently, in September, against England in England. They have, therefore, played competitive international cricket as a team and are much more organised and structured than India with their playing XI. The IPL for some of them has been ideal to keep them in the groove and has also given them an insight about the form and weaknesses of many of the Indian players.
Ricky Ponting, the coach of the Delhi Capitals who had several of the Indian young stars under him, is now a very important part of the Australian team’s think-tank. His knowledge and information will be invaluable to the Australian planning and execution. This is an area that the BCCI should look at very seriously as foreign coaches involved with their national sides are allowed to be a part of the IPL whereas the Indian support staff are not allowed to do so because of the conflict of interest clause.