Ind vs Aus: The Oz players to watch out for : Mitchell Johnson

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Ind vs Aus: The Oz players to watch out for

India vs Australia: The Oz players to watch out for

Australia have to win the series 6-1, to regain the ICC ODI no.1 spot. With a team sans skipper Michael Clarke, who incidentally is also one of the best players of the side, it would be a tough challengeto defeat India -- a team that is at present in exceptional form.

The inexperienced Aussie side has players who have shown brilliant performances in the T20 and domestic tournaments. It is now their turn to prove their mettle to cement their place in the side.

The Aussie pack is being led by George Bailey who is being touted as the future heir to Michael Clarke.

Watch of for these five players who can be the game changers for the Aussies.

George Bailey

Nicknamed Hector, Bailey got the chance to lead the team in the absence of regular skipper Michael Clarke, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury, to lead the Aussie squad.

Bailey was called into Australia`s ODI squad for the Chappell-Hadlee Series in 2010. Even though he did not play any match in that series, his captaincy for Tasmania impressed the selectors so much that he was named Australia`s Twenty20 captain in 2011. He is also being touted as Clarke’s heir.

Though Bailey was out for a duck in the one-off T20 in the series, he might be the one to watch in the ODIs as he is a destructive striker who can change the course of any match within a few overs.

ODI highest score: 125* vs West Indies at Perth in February 2013

Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch created Twenty20 world-record when he scored a magnificent 156 off 63 balls that included 14 sixes, against their arch-rivals England in 2013. His stellar innings helped Australia earn their first win in any international cricket format in more than 200 days.

In the on-off T20 against India in this series, he impressed again with his 89 run-knock off 52 balls, albeit for a losing cause.

Finch made his Twenty20 debut against England in early 2011 and scored an unbeaten 53 in his second match but due to lack of consistency, he managed his ODI debut only in 2013.

He has displayed brilliant knocks in the Big Bash League and has also played for Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils and Pune Warriors in the IPL.

The hard-hitting batsman is definitely the one to watch out for in this series, provided he maintains consistency and takes cue from his T20 from.

ODI highest score: 148* vs Scotland in Edinburgh, in February 2013

Shane Watson

One of the most experienced players in the team, Watson has recently rubbed shoulders against almost all the players of the current Indian squad during the Champions League T20.

He is versed with the Indian conditions, courtesy his outings with the IPL franchise- Rajasthan Royals.

He is an aggressive batsman up the order and is capable of playing match winning knocks. As a bowler he is more than handy. With his all-round skills he can turn the tables for the Aussies.

ODI highest score: 185* vs Bangladesh at Dhaka in April 2011

James Faulkner

The youngster Faulkner is a highly-talented bowling all-rounder and a lower-order batsman.

The Tasmanian cricketer is highly rated in Australian cricket circles. A left-arm medium pacer and a right-hand batsman, he plays for the IPL franchise-Rajasthan Royals and is versed with Indian conditions.

He mix-up his deliveries quite well. And can be effect in the death overs as well.

In his short ODI career of 13 matches till now, he has played a few good knocks and already impressed many with his willow as well.

Best bowling figure: 9-48-4 vs West Indies at Canberra in February 2013

Mitchell Johnson

One of the best bowlers in the squad, Johnson can do wonders with the new ball. He is an experienced player and that can come handy for Oz during the series.

Johnson made his debut for Australia in December 2005 and has been proving that he has a knack of picking wickets every now and then.

If he gets his rhythm early on, he can give best of the batsman a run for their money. And he has proved this many times in the past.

Best bowling figure: 10-31-6 vs Sri Lanka at Pallekele in August

Manushree Chaumal