By the time India begins their second T20I on Sunday, their test specialists will have played the first day of their three-day warm-up match against Australia A at Drummoyne Oval. It is not ideal that some of the players of all formats have to choose between the T20I and test preparation, but these are unprecedented times due to the pandemic.
Following the indications of the first T20I, it is almost certain that Virat Kohli will miss the first preparation match. He won’t be playing a red ball test on this tour anyway, so it makes sense for him to only play the second warm-up accessory, which will be played with the pink ball. India could send one of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah to play the preparation match and the other could play the T20 international at SCG. KL Rahul is likely to play as an international, although India has a goalie-hitter in Sanju Samson in case they want to send Rahul out for a long practice.
Here’s what to watch out for in the three-day match.
Audition for third seamer
Ishant Sharma’s absence is a bigger hole left in India’s Exhibit XI than Kohli will leave when he goes on paternity leave. Not only has Sharma been in sensational form in recent years, but the threat posed by Bumrah and Shami could be significantly reduced if Sharma’s replacement continues to release the pressure. India’s three options for the role are Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj. All three are likely in action against Australia A.
Pujara and Vihari get a success
Throughout the pandemic, testing specialists who are not selected for IPL have been the hardest hit. Cheteshwar Pujara last played competitive cricket in the second week of March, the Ranji Trophy final, and Hanuma Vihari last played the final test in New Zealand in the first week of March. Both Pujara and Vihari had plans to play in the English county season, but the pandemic put an end to that. They would have expected some Ranji Trophy cricket before traveling to Australia, but they couldn’t either. The two of you will be looking to get rid of the rust from the ring during these three days.
Pants or saha
Rishabh Pant was the wicketkeeper for India in his last test in Australia, and also in his last test away, in New Zealand. However, since then he has been through a tight phase in IPL and may have little confidence. This will be an opportunity for him to get rid of those nerves. Wriddhiman Saha injured both hamstrings during the IPL, and this will be an opportunity for him to show his fitness in case it is necessary for testing.
Overs for Ashwin and Kuldeep
Ravindra Jadeja’s concussion appears to have knocked him out of the competition for the first test. He and Kuldeep Yadav were the Indian spinners in the last test they played in Australia. Yadav then rolled a five in that match, last January, but that too remains the last test he played, losing his spot to the fingers in home tests. Yadav has never played a test as the sole spinner, and India will have no reason to play two of them outside perhaps Sydney. So, Yadav will have to show the team management something special in the tour game so that they will consider him for the role of the lone spinner.
R Ashwin has been India’s first choice as the sole spinner on most of his recent away tours. However, it didn’t seem to fit 100% through the IPL. This is the chance for him to show that he is completely fit and puts too much under his belt.
Other available hitting spots
Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw are the starting starters for India, but they didn’t have a big tour of New Zealand, forming partnerships of 16, 27, 30 and 8. One of KL Rahul and Shubhman Gill will likely join when Kohli leaves. but the other could even challenge one of these starters.
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