In the absence of resources in ODI, India will have enough options to choose from to pose a tougher challenge to Australia when the two sides meet in a three-game T20 series that begins here on Friday.
The 1-2 loss in the ODI series reaffirmed that India has a lot of work to do in the 50+ format, but they have a much more balanced squad in the shorter format.
Before the pandemic suspended sporting activities around the world, India had blanked host New Zealand in a five-game series and they will take a lot of confidence out of that result in the match against Australia.
The presence of Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar and T Natarajan, who did well in their ODI debut on Wednesday, brings a much-needed balance to the bowling department.
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Sundar will be very confident after a solid IPL in which the Royal Challengers Bangalore and India skipper Virat Kohli used him effectively on the power play and in between.
With Hardik Pandya not bowling regularly, India only had one off-road specialist in Ravindra Jadeja in the one-dayers.
However, in the T20s, Kohli will also have Sundar’s services in both departments and there is a possibility that Hardik could rotate his arm for a brief period as he did from the second ODI onwards.
Yorker specialist Natarajan, who was a late addition to the ODI squad, could also make his T20 debut on Friday after showing enough promise in his first international appearance.
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Unlike the SCG, the Manuka Oval surface had enough for spinners and pacers. It will be interesting to see who opens the bowling alley alongside Jasprit Bumrah with the draw between Mohammad Shami and Deepak Chahar.
Yuzvendra Chahal, who had a forgettable outing in the ODI, will also be looking to bounce back.
In batting, KL Rahul, who hit five in ODIs, is expected to return to his preferred starting spot alongside Shikhar Dhawan.
The fit wicketkeeper’s hitter had also started in the previous series against New Zealand and was expected to hit most of the 20 overs as he did so well in the IPL.
Skipper Kohli looked in good touch in ODIs and his goal will be to take advantage of that, while number four Shreyas Iyer will aim for great scores from great starts as he did in the previous three-game series.
As Kohli mentioned, victory in the inconsequential third ODI was the kind of result they needed before the T20 series; otherwise the tour would have become more difficult.
Australia, after naming the same team to ODI and T20, would be backing themselves to beat India after a clinical display for the past week despite injury concerns.
Star hitter David Warner is unavailable due to a groin injury and it remains to be seen if Marnus Labuschagne joins captain Aaron Finch on Friday as they both did one night ago.
Marcus Stoinis would have been another good opening option with Finch, but he too is a dubious starter due to a side injury he sustained during the ODI.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who rested Wednesday, are expected to return to reinforce the attack.
Squads:
India: Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul (vice captain and goalkeeper), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson (goalkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar, T Natarajan.
Australia: Aaron Finch (center), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (VC), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, A’Arcy Short, Adam Zampa.
The match starts at 1.40 PM IST. PTI BS PM PM
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