Breakout T20I stars Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Varun Chakravarthy brace for stern challenge as five-match T20I series between two top-ranked teams begins In Canberra todayODI stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have exited the scene, perhaps after making one last impression on Australian soil. It is now time for India’s Gen X to make their initial impression Down Under, showing that they are no less than their illustrious predecessors when they take on the hosts in the five-match T20I series beginning in chilly conditions in Canberra on Wednesday.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Following the T20I World Cup triumph last year under Rohit, the Suryakumar Yadav-led team has played a refreshing brand of fearless, aggressive cricket and have reaped rich dividends. They have won 23 out of the last 27 matches, including the Asia Cup triumph in Dubai last month. The still have 15 T20Is to play before they head into the next edition of the T20 World Cup, to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka in four months’ time. However, the series against Mitchell Marsh’s men in their backyard should offer them the biggest test before they begin their T20 title defence.
Just like India, the Australians have been ruthless in their approach since the T20 World Cup and have won 16 out of 19 games played. No wonder India and Australia occupy the top two slots respectively in the format. However, for at least half of the 16-member Indian squad, including breakout stars like Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Varun Chakravarthy, it will be their first experience of Australian conditions in Indian colours.
The faster, bouncier pitches and long boundaries —despite the rope being pulled in for the shorter format — will present a challenge to the visiting T20 batting superstars. However, they will be looking to capitalise on the inexperienced bowling attack Australia will be fielding in the series. There’s been a lot of chopping and changing as Australia look ahead to the Ashes.
But it is the firepower in the Aussie batting lineup that will be the biggest threat to India. In Mitch Marsh and Travis Head, the hosts have an explosive opening pair. The Australians have averaged 61 runs in the Powerplay at a strike rate of 169.97, the highest-ever recorded in a calendar year. The Indian skipper is banking on the talismanic Bumrah to neutralise Australia’s Powerplay threat.
“We’ve seen how they play in the ODI series and in the T20 World Cup. Powerplay is always important. As you saw in the Asia Cup, he (Bumrah) took the responsibility of bowling two overs in the Powerplay. So, it is good that he is raising his hand and acting as if he is the guy who will take charge,” said Surya on match eve.
But the explosiveness of the Australian batting does not end there. They have the likes of Tim David, Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis to wield the long handle in the middle overs. And Marsh is promising no letup in their approach. “As a batting unit, we have played a lot more aggressively. But yeah, if you look towards the World Cup in India, that’s certainly the way we’re going to play,” the Australian skipper said.
And it is here India’s spin twins, Kuldeep Yadav and Chakravarthy, have a big role to play. The absence of
Hardik Pandya, who is undergoing rehabilitation after a quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup, might also prompt the team management to rethink their team combination.
The onus will be on seam bowling allrounder Shivam Dube to step up in Hardik’s absence, though India has a fit-again Nitesh Kumar Reddy waiting in the wings.
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