Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Pitch Report & Weather Forecast for AUS vs AFG ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Match 39

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Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will stage it's fourth match of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 on Tuesday (November 7) when record champions Australia face confident Afghanistan in a crucial match that will have a huge say in the semifinal race.

Pat Cummins' Australia will look to carry on their momentum following their fifth consecutive win, while Hashamatullah Shahidi's Afghanistan will look to retain their winning streak to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

Australia, who had lost their opening two matches, have since won five matches in a row with the most recent outing being a 33-run win over England on a little challenging surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where run-scoring was not easy.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, extended their winning run to three with the most recent victory coming over Netherlands on a little batting friendly wicket at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, where the Afghans eased to the target of 180 with 18.3 overs to spare.

Weather has interrupted Australia's clash against Sri Lanka in Lucknow, where rain stopped play for a brief period, but overs were not lost, while none of Aghanistan's matches have been interrupted by rain or any other weather condition so far in the World Cup.

However, with parts of the country witnessing showers due to the retreating monsoon, we take a look if rain will play spoilsport? Or will dew be a factor in the match?

Also the batting friendly wicket at Wankhede Stadium saw Sri Lanka crumble for 55. So, here is a look at the weather forecast and pitch report for AUS vs AFG 38th ICC World Cup 2023 match:

Mumbai Weather Forecast on November 7

There is no threat of rain in Mumbai on Tuesday (November 7) or in the lead up to match. It is expected to be a very warm day with intervals of sunshine and clouds. The temperature is expected to touch 37° C in the noon and reduce to 31° C in the night.

Weather Channel, meanwhile, forecasts a cloudy day, but with no chance of rain with a maximum temperature of 33° C in the noon, and 31° C at the closing stages. So, rain is unlikely to play spoilsport in the AUS vs AFG match in Mumbai.

While there is no rain, there is chance for dew, which could be a factor in the later stages of the second innings in Mumbai, meaning the team chasing may have an extra advantage. But, how is the Mumbai wicket going to play?

Wankhede Stadium pitch report for AUS vs AFG World Cup match

Four of the 13 red soil strips at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai have been selected by the ICC for the five World Cup 2023 matches, including the semifinal. The venue has been known to provide some assistance for quicks with the new ball, but has mostly been batting friendly.

The first World Cup 2023 match was just an example of why the Wankhede Stadium is called a batter's paradise as South Africa posted the second highest total at the venue, where they also hold the record for the highest total, which they scored eight years ago against India.

In the second match, Proteas continued their carnage with the bat with Bangladesh being the victims this time. South Africa posted 382/5 before their pacers used conditions under lights to bundle out Bangladesh for 233.

In the third and most recent match, India posted 357 before the pacers found some joy bowling under lights with some swing and skid to bundle out Sri Lanka for 55 All Out inside 20 overs.

The average first innings score in the 26 ODIs hosted by the venue is 260. Two of the last five matches at the venue have ended in favour of the team chasing, while the team batting first have won when posting 350 plus.

Overall, the teams batting first hold the edge over teams chasing at this venue. But, teams will be tempted to chase especially with the dew factor in mind. However, with the pace bowlers expected to find some joy under lights, teams may be tempted to bat first and add scoreboard pressure.