World Cup 2019: 3 key battles that could decide the outcome of India vs Australia

One of the biggest matches of World Cup 2019 is set to take place on Sunday where five-time champions Australia take on two-time champions India at The Oval.

Both teams have started off wonderfully well in this year’s mega event. The defending champions Australia have won both their matches against Afghanistan and West Indies respectively while the men in blue kick started their campaign with a good win over South Africa on Wednesday.

While it was expected to be a high scoring World Cup, batting teams have found the extra pressure of the event little bit difficult to handle and thus the bowlers have held their own so far.

As always in a big contest, there will be few key battles that will have a great impact in the overall result. Here are the 3 key match ups in the big game between India and Australia.

#1 India’s top order against Starc

Afghanistan v Australia - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

India’s success formula in ODI cricket for the last few years has been their top order of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. All three are capable of scoring big and play impact innings which is so very crucial albeit in a team sport.

There has been very few instances in the last couple of years where all the three have been dismissed cheaply and when that happens India seem to struggle. This is where Mitchell Starc’s battle against the Indian top order could be so very crucial in the eventual outcome of the game.

The left arm pacer is getting back into good rhythm after few injuries in the past few months and when he is in form, Australia's whole bowling attack looks a lot different.

While Rohit Sharma doesn't like a left armer swinging in early on in his innings, Virat Kohli too tends to jab at deliveries that slant from leg to off which has caused him quite a few troubles in the past.

So lets see who blinks first in this great battle.

#2 David Warner against Jasprit Bumrah

India v New Zealand – ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Warm Up

Two of the best bowling line ups go against each other tomorrow and when thats the case, it will be a severe test for the top order from both sides.

Australia’s David Warner, who is coming back to international cricket after one full year, looked scrappy and tentative at the start in their opening game against Afghanistan. But like good players do, he spent some time in the middle and scored a fighting half century.

He will be up against the world’s best white ball bowler at the moment. Jasprit Bumrah is enjoying his time with the ball and he has just continued from where he left off in the IPL.

Bumrah bowls really well against the left handers as was found out by Quinton de Kock in the previous game. It will be a real challenge for David Warner tomorrow. Will he see off the threat or fight fire with fire?

Well, either way its gonna be an awesome contest that could light up the World Cup.

#3 Dhoni and Pandya against Cummins at the death

India v New Zealand – ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Warm Up

One of the big strengths for India in this years World Cup is their options of power hitters at the death. Over the years, thats one area where they have struggled to find the right personnel.

If the Indian top order lay a solid foundation, there are the likes of MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya to take care of the final few overs with some monstrous hitting. Both the players are in great hitting form and that bodes well for the Indian side.

Australia would know that well and in Pat Cummins, they have a very good bowler who is capable of bowling quick yorkers and also has the ability to surprise the batsmen with good short pitched deliveries.

It will be interesting to see how Aaron Finch uses Pat Cummins tomorrow considering India have very good power hitting options at the back end. His duel up against Hardik Pandya could be mouth watering as both like to dominate and win the game for their countries.

All in all, it should be a cracking contest between two in-form teams.