India vs Australia: World Cup to finally get underway at Chepauk

On Saturday afternoon at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, it appeared as though the World Cup had finally started due to the prolonged drumming. especially after the competition got off to a slow start in the tournament opener in Ahmedabad on Thursday with rows of vacant seats.

However, the major purpose of the drumming was to commemorate a partnership between the Chennai corporation and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA). However, considering the general atmosphere within the stadium, one can at least get a World Cup-like feeling.

The 38,000-seat stadium is anticipated to be packed, according to TNCA officials, when Team India plays Australia in the marquee matchup on Sunday. However, it is clear that India and Australia will be concentrating on the task at hand, which is winning the opening round of this championship event.

The "unfinished business" of not having won the 50-over World Cup yet is another motivating factor for India captain Rohit Sharma. Rohit is equally cautious about not letting it go out of hand.

"Look, you've heard the great man (Sachin Tendulkar) remark that he has some unfinished business up till he wins the World Cup so many times. The same applies to us as well, Rohit stated on the eve of India's first game.

"The highest prize you can receive in your career is winning the World Cup. However, there is a method for doing it. You can do so many things that can lead to so many other things when you're desperate.

So, being hungry is a wonderful thing. However, you must strike a balance in order to maintain your desperation and want for runs, victories, and the championship trophy. You can't get too far ahead of yourself because that can result in something you don't really want, according to the India captain.

A likely turn

Three pitches were ready for Sunday's game, according to TNCA sources. However, the International Cricket Council's head curator Andy Atkinson and BCCI chief curator Ashish Bhowmick went for a surface that has some grass but still provides turn for spinners.

Groundsmen were also observed sprinkling some water on the field on Saturday night.

It will be surprising if India don't select senior off-spinner and fan favorite Ravichandran Ashwin in the XI alongside Ravindra Jadeja and chinaman Kuldeep Yadav, who bowled quite a bit to the India captain during Saturday's optional training session, based on what Rohit said at the pre-match news conference.

Three spinners is clearly a choice. Hardik Pandya is more to me than just a seamer. He is a true quick bowler with good acceleration.

The privilege of using three spinners and three seamers on this pitch is now ours. We achieve that balance, extending our batting to position No. 8 in the order," Rohit said.

Gill situation

Shubman Gill is "not ruled out of the game yet" due to his illness, although Rohit acknowledged this. "Me being a human being first, I want him to get well, Not the captain thinking, 'Oh, I want Gill to play tomorrow (Sunday)," said Rohit.

Marcus Stoinis, an all-rounder for the Australian team, is "still touch-and-go" as far as his availability on Sunday, according to captain Pat Cummins.