Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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The atmosphere, amazing. The cricket, most enthralling. The excitement, alive and building.
The weather? Most disappointing.
Rain has followed Australia in three separate T20I matches in the past week, which in the end leaves India with the task of trying to level the series 1-1. Coincidentally, this was the result of the last T20I series between the two sides last year in India, with Australia bouncing back well after a first up loss.
India bounced back well in Melbourne, where the weather probably favoured Australia in the end. Can the tourists build on their good showing in what is expected to be a full game of cricket in Sydney?
Australia’s batting in Melbourne was reflect of their efforts of late. Inconsistency with the bat has hurt Australia so far in their home season, this time unable to adequately follow up their good showing in Brisbane. Sure, conditions were cold and challenging on Friday, but the talent Australia has in their line up suggests they should deliver the goods more consistently. There is no doubt there will be a large contingent of blue cheering on a side fired up to level the series, so which Australia side will show up?
India were on song with the ball in Melbourne, putting on a display full of determination and belief. The rain was a disappointing result for India and the thousands of fans that flocked the MCG, but nothing is guaranteed in terms of what would have happened. The challenge for India will be to back up their effort from Melbourne to Sydney, and with a full game expected thanks to no forecast of rain, they have a good shot at leveling the series.
Key to an Australia win
India’s bowlers found their groove in Melbourne, so how will Australia respond? Aaron Finch’s form in white-ball cricket has been underwhelming of late, so too D’Arcy Short, which represents an opening pair full of potential that isn’t firing. In both games, India have grabbed a nice foothold early in the powerplay overs, which has increased the pressure on the middle order.
In Brisbane, the likes of Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis were able to fire after a slow start. In Melbourne, only Ben McDermott played an innings of substance, that gave Australia a chance of finishing with a total of 145+. Against a strong India batting line up, that sort of total might be too low, so the onus will be on Australia’s top order to not only keep India’s seam bowlers at bay in the powerplay, but also set up the innings nicely with a strong start.
With the ball, Australia will again need to dislodge at least two of India’s magnificent top four cheaply. The addition of Mitchell Starc (if picked) in place of Billy Stanlake can potentially be a weapon against Rohit Sharma in particular, which can enable Australia to put pressure on India early. Adam Zampa’s quest for consistency will be on show tonight, and ideally, he will be bowling to the middle order off the back of a fine start from the seamers. Will this prove to be the case?
Key to an India win
India’s tactics were much improved in Melbourne, with an example being Jasprit Bumrah held back early to bowl at Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis. Their most expensive bowler, Khaleel Ahmed, was still in the wickets, which formed the basis of a cohesive bowling performance from the tourists. The conditions in Sydney in Sheffield Shield cricket in recent times have been quite slow, which provides India with conditions they are familiar with, boasting an attack with an excellent combination of pace and spin. Will they get into Australia’s lineup again?
Also, will India’s top order fire with the bat? Three of India’s top four were dismissed cheaply in Brisbane, and a repeat keeps Australia right in the game. Rohit Sharma will need to be on his game against left arm seam, with Shikhar Dhawan tasked with repeating his excellent innings in Brisbane. Can Virat Kohli and KL Rahul also fire to deliver a huge score?
Possible teams
Mitchell Starc could line up for his first T20I since 2016, but it remains to be seen whether Australia keep him in cotton wool ahead of the Test series starting Thursday week.
Australia: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. D’Arcy Short, 3. Chris Lynn, 4. Glenn Maxwell, 5. Marcus Stoinis, 6. Alex Carey (wk), 7. Ben McDermott, 8. Nathan Coulter-Nile/Mitchell Starc, 9. Adam Zampa, 10. Andrew Tye, 11. Jason Behrendorff
For India, Yuzvendra Chahal will likely watch on from the sidelines again. Whether he gets in depends on whether India choose to play Khaleel Ahmed again, who was expensive but impressive at times in Melbourne.
India: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. KL Rahul, 4. Virat Kohli (c), 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
Will India’s top order fire? Below is my Dream11 Team with a few pointers.
- Backing India’s top order to fire, which is why I have chosen Alex Carey over Rishabh Pant. He could get a greater opportunity to bat.
- Aaron Finch is due a score, which is why he takes the VC role. Three of India’s top four make my side, except Rohit Sharma, who will be tested against left arm seam.
- Krunal Pandya impressed in Melbourne, and will be a factor in Sydney conditions.
- Jason Behrendorff offers good value, and Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav are too good to ignore.
Stats and Facts
- Since the Zimbabwe T20 Tri-Series, Australia’s batsmen have scored just two half centuries in seven matches.
Prediction
It will be a full house at the SCG, with plenty of support for India.
India are likelier to put on a complete performance, and I think they will win tonight. Of course, hopefully heart wins over head!
Thanks for reading!
