India T20 WC Warm-ups: The T20 World Cup is just round the corner with the competition starting from October 16. Among the big matches, all eyes will be on the blockbuster India vs Pakistan contest on October 23 at MCG. Before that, India will be playing four warm up matches. It will help Rohit Sharma and co to finalise their playing XI. Follow India T20 WC Warm-up live and updates with InsideSport.IN
They will face Western Australia twice on October 10 and 13. The Men in Blue will also meet Australia and New Zealand on October 17 and 19 respectively.
India T20 WC Warm-ups: Four key matches for Rohit Sharma and co to figure best Playing XI before India vs Pakistan game, check out
The Indian team left for Australia on Thursday morning. The Indian team will have a training camp at Perth. The Men in Blue left early considering many of the players in the T20 World Cup squad have not played in Australia. So, reaching fortnight before the first game would give them more time to spend in Australian conditions.
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The biggest headache for them will be finding Jasprit Bumrah replacement. He has been ruled out and has been the bowling spearhead for quite sometime now. Interestingly, his replacement in the squad has not been made. Mohammad Shami is the likely candidate to replace him. The decision will be made next week.
The pacers in the team are Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel and others. Hardik Pandya in the bowling all-rounder. The pace trio is favourite to play in the T20 World Cup, but things could change if Shami is included. Hence, these practice matches are going to be important for India. Bhuvneshwar, who has not been at his best, can use such warm up matches to get back to form.
In the wicket-keeper department, Dinesh Karthik is favourite, but the management will give some match time to Rishabh Pant. There could be instances when both the players may be fielded in the Playing XI if the need arises.
India T20 WC Warm-ups: Four key matches for Rohit Sharma and co to figure best Playing XI before India vs Pakistan game, check out
However, it is not only about the Playing XI. They will also try to use the warm up matches to try different combinations. Rohit has previously spoken about how Kohli will also be used as an opener in the World Cup, so one could see Kohli batting alongside Rohit as well.
More importantly, these four matches provide an opportunity for the Indian players to get used to the Australian conditions. India has played a lot of cricket of late in India, where the conditions are different from Down Under. The pace and bounce is going to be a huge change for some of the Indian players, who have not played in Australia.
India’s fixtures before the T20 WC
- 10th October- vs Western Australia
- 13th October- vs Western Australia
- 17th October- vs Australia
- 19th October- vs New Zealand
India T20 WC Warm-ups: Four key matches for Rohit Sharma and co to figure best Playing XI before India vs Pakistan game, check out
