Cricket keeps happening, with India and Australia set to clash in a five-match T20I series, just three days after playing in the World Cup final. The wounds from that defeat will take time to heal, but this is the time to start preparing for the T20 World Cup scheduled in the West Indies and USA in June. This series will mostly feature players who didn’t play in the ODI World Cup. Before IPL 2023, which is a two-month affair, India will play 11 T20Is.
The team is almost the one which won gold at the Asian Games. The two inclusions are Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel. Suryakumar, at 33, is the most experienced player. Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma and Mukesh Kumar are others in the squad above 30. While several selection decisions aligned with expectations, unexpected was the omission of Sanju Samson and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Overlooked for the 50-over World Cup, Sanju has struggled in T20Is. Despite consistent performances for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, he failed to replicate that form at the international level. His T20I record since February 2022 shows 257 runs in 11 innings, with one half-century. He fell for under 20 in six of those innings.
These statistics might have prompted the selectors to explore other options in the middle order, like Jitesh, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh and Dube. Chahal, India’s most successful T20I bowler, missed out, having failed to make an impact in the series against West Indies in August.
The Indian T20I team is in a transition phase, and it’s unlikely that we’ll witness the return of many familiar faces in the near future. Suryakumar takes on the captaincy role in lieu of Hardik Pandya, who is recuperating from an injury. The Australia series serves as a brief assessment of Suryakumar’s ability as a secondary leadership choice.
The opening slot battle involves Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan, with a crowded middle-order featuring Tilak, Rinku and Jitesh. The attack, led by Arshdeep Singh, lacks the experience of regular bowlers. Prasidh Krishna is likely to share the new ball with Arshdeep. Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi will be the one to watch out for.
Australia, led by Matthew Wade, have a more experienced squad, including Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Travis Head. With key bowlers rested, the likes of Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott, Kane Richardson and Nathan Ellis have a chance to make an impact. Adam Zampa and Tanveer Sangha will lead the spin attack.
Time and Venue Details
India vs Australia. 7 PM. Dr. Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam.
Expected conditions
The pitch is favourable for batters. Spinners may come into the picture in the latter part of the game. A few passing showers might interrupt the game.
Possible XIs
India: Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna.
Australia: Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Short, Tim David, Matthew Wade (c/wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Ellis.
Match-up
Behrendorff vs Gaikwad: The tall left-arm quick possesses the ability to swing the ball both ways at pace. It’s essential for India that Gaikwad makes a positive start, a scenario Australia aim to hinder by relying on Behrendorff to strike with the new ball.
Match Speak
Keeping the T20 World Cup in mind, the games which we are going to play until then are very important. My message to them is very clear, just be fearless and do whatever it takes to help the team.
Suryakumar Yadav, India captain
We are checking with the guys who played in the World Cup. We are trying to make sure that they are ready to go mentally and physically.
Matthew Wade, Australia captain