The Indian cricket team stands level 1-1 with Australia after the first two games of the three-ODI series. While the hosts emerged victorious in the first ODI, the visitors bounced back with a resounding victory in the second match.

In the series opener, India bundled out Australia for a paltry 188 and then chased down the target with five wickets in hand and 61 balls to spare.

Riding on Mitchell Starc’s five-wicket haul, Australia bowled out the home team for a paltry 117 in the second ODI and then got over the finishing line with 10 wickets and 39 overs left.

The two teams will now square off in the third and final ODI at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday (March 22).

Ahead of the game, South African batting legend AB de Villiers has said that Indian wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav will be a force to reckon with in the series-decider as the Chepauk track will offer turn.  

“In the bowling department, I have seen Kuldeep Yadav bowl well. I think he'll feature in Chennai. There's a bit of turn. He gives that flight, takes it both ways. It's tough to pick him, so he'll be a force to reckon with,” said De Villiers.

He considers India as favorites in Chennai because of the nature of the pitch, but insisted that it is never wise to count the Australians out.

“I would go with India because of the Chennai wicket and how well they play there but never count the Aussies out. They are very competitive,” De Villiers added.

Starc is the leading wicket-taker in the series, having already claimed 8 scalps. The left-arm pacer could be a huge threat to the Indian batters at Chepauk.

“On the Aussies' [side], we saw what Mitchell Starc did in that last game. I loved watching him bowl. Hopefully, he'll get a little bit of reverse swing in Chennai. If he doesn't, he puts a little bit of pace on the ball. I think he'll be pretty easy to face, then he needs to move around. He's quick, competitive, and tries hard,” opined De Villiers.