NEW DELHI: Stylish India batter Tilak Varma is eager for some quality time with the bat in the third T20 International against Australia on Tuesday, recognizing that this match could be his last chance in the playing eleven.
The Indian team, riding on near-flawless batting performances in the previous two games, is determined to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series series.
Why is Tilak eager?
The return of Shreyas Iyer, who enjoyed a week's rest after the World Cup final, sets the stage for a potential change in the playing XI.
Iyer is expected to resume vice-captaincy duties from Ruturaj Gaikwad, and this could lead to Tilak Varma making way for Iyer. However, the decision is more likely influenced by team combination rather than form.
The spotlight will be on Tilak, hoping to make the most of his potential last opportunity in the series.
What awaits Team India in Guwahati?
The new-look Indian team, showcasing commendable batting prowess, aims to maintain its dominance on the Barsapara Stadium track, known for being a batting paradise.
The 22-yard strip is expected to favour the batsmen once again, setting the stage for an exciting run-feast.
In the previous two games, the Indian batting unit collectively scored 36 boundaries and 24 sixes, captivating the audience.
With a bustling crowd of 40,000 expected to fill the stands, the match promises excitement, skillful performances, and potential changes in the team dynamics.
What's ailing Australia?
For Australia, the challenge lies in the fatigue of senior players like Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa, who have been in India for nine weeks.
With considerable rest needed before their upcoming assignments, these players will also participate in the Big Bash League next month. Steve Smith's next international assignment will be the Pakistan Test series.
1/10:2nd T20I: Jaiswal, Kishan help India thrash Australia to go 2-0 up
ANI
2/10:Jaiswal's explosive innings
Young India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a 25-ball 53 with fearless shot-making.PTI
3/10:Kishan's impactful contribution
Ishan Kishan's 52 off 32 deliveries pushed India's total to a mammoth 235/4 after being invited to bat first.AFP
4/10:Bishnoi, Krishna shine with the ball
Spinner Ravi Bishnoi and fast bowler Prasidh Krishna took three wickets each as the hosts kept Australia down to 191/9.PTI
5/10:Australia's struggle in the chase
<p>In reply, Australia fell to 58/4 including Steve Smith (19), previous-match centurion Josh Inglis (two) and Glenn Maxwell (12) back in the dug-out.</p>AP
6/10:David and Stoinis fight back
Tim David, who smashed 37, and Stoinis, who hit 45 off 25 balls, attempted to hit back in their partnership of 81 as the two hit six fours and six sixes between them.AFP
7/10:Bishnoi breaks the partnership
Ravi Bishnoi broke the stand with his leg-spin to dismiss Tim David who mistimed a hit to long-on.AFP
8/10:Wade's late heroics
Skipper Matthew Wade struck an unbeaten 42 off 23 balls to reduce the margin of loss for Australia.AFP
9/10:India's commanding lead in the series
With the convincing 44-run win, India extended their lead to 2-0 in the five-match series against Australia.AFP
10/10:Australia's struggles continue
"We're making the right decisions but aren't executing in the right moments," Australia coach Andre Borovec said.AFPIndia's batting show in the series
The trio of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and captain Suryakumar Yadav has delivered impressive half-centuries each, showcasing the team's batting depth.Ishan Kishan, despite spending nearly five and a half weeks on the World Cup bench, has showcased his form with two consecutive half-centuries.Rinku Singh, known for his superb rear-guard knocks, has solidified his role as the designated finisher, staking a claim on the No. 6 slot in the batting order as India look ahead to the T20 World Cup.However, Tilak Varma, who hasn't missed any of India's last 12 T20 Internationals, finds himself in a challenging position. Batting at No. 5, he has faced only 12 deliveries in the last two games, prompting questions about his role in the team.In the first game, he contributed 12 runs off 10 balls in a chase of 209, while in the second game, he faced the final two deliveries of the Indian innings as Rinku Singh was promoted ahead of him.
The Big Question: Will the skipper consider dropping down the order himself, providing an opportunity for Tilak Varma to face more deliveries and gain valuable runs before Shreyas Iyer's inclusion in the next game in Raipur?
1/10:2nd T20I: India's power-packed stat attack against Australia
ANI
2/10:India's highest total vs Australia
<p>235/4 is India's highest total vs Australia in T20Is. In all, India have registered five T20I totals of 200-plus against Australia. </p>Getty Images
3/10:235/4
<p>235/4 is India's fourth highest first innings score in T20Is. </p>AP
4/10:44-run win
<p>India's 44-run winning margin is their second highest in terms of runs against Australia in T20Is. </p>PTI
5/10:India vs Australia
<p>In eight T20Is since 2020, India have beaten Australia 8 times and lost 2. </p>AP
6/10:Top 3 batters
<p>This is the fifth instance in international cricket that top three batsmen have registered 50-plus scores in a T20I innings. </p>PTI
7/10:50-plus scores
<p>This is the fourth instance that three Indian batsmen have registered 50-plus scores in a T20I innings. </p>AFP
8/10:Rinku Singh
<p>Batting in overs 19-20 in T20Is, Rinku Singh has scored 93 runs off 28 balls, with one dismissal at a strike rate of 332.14 with 9 fours and 8 sixes. </p>Getty Images
9/10:Ishan Kishan
<p>Ishan Kishan equalled KL Rahul's record of hitting three 50-plus scores as designated wicketkeeper for India in T20Is. </p>Getty Images
10/10:Yashasvi Jaiswal
<p>Yashasvi Jaiswal is the third Indian after Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to hit 50-plus runs within the Powerplay in T20Is. </p>Getty ImagesImproved bowling performance for India
India's bowlers delivered an impressive turnaround in the second T20I, showcasing a marked improvement from the series-opener where they conceded 208 runs.The nature of the tracks played a crucial role, and the bowling unit responded well to defend a substantial target of 235.While the dot ball count in the first two games remained consistent — 45 in the first and 44 in the second — the significant improvement came in the reduction of boundary percentage during the second game, especially in the dew-laden conditions of Thiruvananthapuram.After being hit for 24 fours in the first game, the Indian attack managed to halve that number in the subsequent match.Pacer Prasidh Krishna, who faced a tough outing against Jos Inglis and Steve Smith in Visakhapatnam, made a strong comeback in the second game, securing three wickets in his second spell.It's important to note that Prasidh bowled with the luxury of a massive target of 235, providing him with a cushion and reducing the pressure on him.Even the typically profligate Arshdeep Singh displayed a change in form, successfully executing block-hole deliveries during the death overs.
The Squads:
India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vice-captain), 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), Aaron Hardie, Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa.
Match starts at 7pm IST.
(With inputs from PTI)
