Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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| Image credit: AFP |
Australia-India. It rarely disappoints.
India’s big tour of Australia began in thrilling fashion on Wednesday, going down by four runs in a game that had plenty of talking points. Whether you love a bit of Marcus Stoinis, or despise the D/L method or Virat Kohli’s captaincy, the Gabba match had something for everyone.
In a series Australia started as outsiders, can they pick up a significant series win?
The T20Is is the leg of the tour with the lowest stakes, but don’t tell that to the Australia side. It meant a lot to beat a good Indian side on Wednesday, and the challenge will be to repeat their effort just two days later. Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis gave us a little insight into their talent in this format, and will be key again. Will Australia seal the series?
In the hallmarks of a great game, the momentum ebbed and flowed in Brisbane, with India favoured to win the game with three overs to go. D/L perhaps wasn’t too kind for them, but there is little doubt that there are improvements to be made, including their middle overs bowling. Virat Kohli’s captaincy is under the spotlight again after one of his worst games this year, so whether he can he bounce back to help India level the series will make for interesting viewing.
Key to an Australia win
Runs on the board was a must for Australia against a good batting line up. The same again applies in Melbourne.
Chris Lynn turned the momentum in Australia’s favour in Brisbane by an over of huge hitting against Khaleel Ahmed. But, this was after a slowish start by Aaron Finch and D’Arcy Short, who will have to find ways to get on top of India’s fabulous new ball pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. A better powerplay is key for Australia to build pressure on India’s middle overs bowlers, setting the stage for the likes of Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis to launch.
Also, Adam Zampa’s performance was a message to selectors that he deserves an extended run in the side. He will be relevant in Melbourne and Sydney, and will be tasked once again with halting the India’s momentum. However, to properly halt India in their tracks, Australia need to bowl better in partnerships, with Andrew Tye’s poor bowling at the Gabba almost costing Australia the game.
Key to an India win
Two of India’s big three failed with the bat, but that they got so close is cause for encouragement. Rishabh Pant and especially Dinesh Karthik showcased their hitting prowess, with the former needing to focus more on conventional strokeplay given his power. But, the form of the middle order gives India’s top order an opportunity to set a platform across the powerplay and middle overs, setting themselves up for a big total on the big MCG ground. Can Shikhar Dhawan continue the form that was not on show against West Indies, with more output from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli?
Also, with the ball, the balance of India’s side came into question. That they left Yuzvendra Chahal out rightly didn’t sit well with fans, and given how threatening Kuldeep Yadav was, India would be right to draft Chahal back in the side to try put a squeeze on the Aussie batting in those all important middle overs. With Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar excellent in early and death overs, how India bowl in between could decide the result.
Possible teams
Andrew Tye was mighty expensive in Brisbane, and needs to keep an eye over his shoulder with Nathan Coulter-Nile waiting in the wings. However, expect Australia to stick with him given his ability to take wickets in T20 cricket.
Australia: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. D’Arcy Short, 3. Chris Lynn, 4. Glenn Maxwell, 5. Marcus Stoinis, 6. Ben McDermott, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Adam Zampa, 9. Andrew Tye, 10. Billy Stanlake, 11. Jason Behrendorff
For India, will they pick Yuzvendra Chahal over Krunal Pandya or Khaleel Ahmed, who both had tough nights in Brisbane? Personal opinion says they should.
India: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. KL Rahul, 5. Rishabh Pant (wk), 6. Dinesh Karthik, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Khaleel Ahmed/Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Jasprit Bumrah
Dream11
So much talent on show in this series. Below is my Dream11 Team with a few pointers.
- Rohit Sharma was in my side for the first T20I, hoping his play against left-arm seam would be of high quality. It wasn’t, which places doubt in my mind as to whether he should be in my team. Virat Kohli (c) will bounce back, and Shikhar Dhawan is in dangerous form.
- Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis were excellent in Brisbane, and should be in your side, in my opinion.
- Adam Zampa’s impressive showing in Brisbane makes him a good-value pick, along with Jason Behrendorff. Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav could be very difficult to get a hold of on the big MCG outfield.
Stats and Facts
- Australia’s win in Brisbane ended a four-game losing streak in T20Is.
- India have won seven straight T20I series in a row, including the Nidahas Trophy in March.
- Jasprit Bumrah could be kept for Chris Lynn and Glenn Maxwell. He has bowled 24 balls to Lynn in T20Is for three wickets. Against Maxwell, he has bowled 33 balls for six dismissals.
Prediction
A huge crowd is expected, but a few showers are too, which doesn’t rule out the possibility of another shortened game.
Nonetheless, this should be another beauty between two great rivals.
Like the first T20I, heart says Australia, but I have the feeling India will win this.
Thanks for reading!
