NEW DELHI: India's triumphant T20I series against Australia serve as the perfect platform to fine-tune strategies and address key player roles ahead of the upcoming challenge against South Africa. The fifth T20I, set to take place at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, is not just a dead rubber but a crucial workshop for the Indian team to evaluate its resources and test combinations before the rigorous series against the Proteas starting on December 10.
Two players in focus for this T20 workshop are Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Chahar, both returning to the shortest format after a substantial hiatus. Iyer, who showcased his fine form during the recent 50-over World Cup, had a rusty outing in the fourth T20I in Raipur, scoring a quick eight runs off seven balls. The Mumbaikar will be eager to find his rhythm in T20Is after more than a year and make a substantial impact, especially considering his previous exploits at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where he notched up a century against the Netherlands.
Similarly, Deepak Chahar, recovering from a prolonged injury lay-off, has made a comeback into the T20I squad. The fourth T20I against Australia marked his return to the format after more than a year, and despite picking crucial wickets, the pacer conceded runs. Chahar now looks forward to a power-packed performance in Bengaluru, utilising his variations to counter the docility of the Chinnaswamy track.
The management is keen on assessing off-spinning all-rounder Washington Sundar before the South Africa tour. Sundar, who battled injuries at crucial junctures in his career, has displayed improved fitness levels and may find a spot in the playing XI, potentially replacing left-arm spinner Axar Patel. Sundar's inclusion provides an opportunity to evaluate his form and fitness, ensuring a seamless transition into the South Africa series.
With the T20I series against Australia already secured with a 3-1 lead, India has the flexibility to experiment with combinations and evaluate player performances. The likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rinku Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ishan Kishan have been in excellent touch, contributing significantly with the bat. Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, leading the bowling chart with seven wickets, continues to impress and will be a key asset in the upcoming challenges.
1/10:Rinku, spinners help India clinch T20I series against Australia
AFP
2/10:Rinku Singh's quickfire 46
India posted a competitive 174/9 thanks to Rinku's 29-ball 46 blitz, despite late strikes by the Australian fast bowlers after the tourists elected to field first in Raipur.PTI
3/10:Axar Patel's apin attack
Axar returned figures of 3-16 with his left-arm spin as the hosts kept down Australia to 154/7 to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.ANI
4/10:Suryakumar's captaincy debut
Suryakumar Yadav led the team to victory in his first series as captain, displaying excellent leadership skills.AP
5/10:Ravi Bishnoi's impactful bowling
Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi struck on his first delivery as he bowled Josh Philippe, for eight, and finished with figures of 1-17.PTI
6/10:Australia's late strikes
Ben Dwarshuis took two wickets in the 19th over and Jason Behrendorff also struck twice in the next over to deny Rinku his fifty and check India's surge.PTI
7/10:Matthew Wade's resilient innings
Skipper Matthew Wade's valiant innings of 36 not out was not enough to save Australia from defeat.AFP
8/10:Key partnership for India
Rinku Singh's partnerships, including a crucial 56-run stand with Jitesh Sharma, played a vital role in India's total.AP
9/10:Australia's WC stars absent
Australia missed the presence of their ODI World Cup stars, including Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.AP
10/10:Final T20I in Bengaluru
The fifth and final T20I match between India and Australia will take place in Bengaluru on Sunday.APOn the Australian front, Matthew Wade and the team find themselves in a position where they have nothing to lose. Despite the series loss, Australia aims to conclude their successful campaign in Indian conditions on a positive note. The team's endeavours over the past two months have been commendable, and a victory in the final T20I against India would be a fitting conclusion to their journey.
As the spotlight shifts to Bengaluru for the T20 workshop, the Indian team, under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, is keen on extracting valuable insights and preparing meticulously for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. The focus remains on optimising player roles, addressing any remaining concerns, and building the right momentum for the challenges that lie ahead.
Squads:
India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.
Australia: Matthew Wade (captain), Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Chris Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Ben McDermott, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Kane Richardson.
Match starts at 7 PM IST.
(With inputs from PTI)
