India vs Australia warm up match – T20 World Cup 2022: Team India will face defending champions Australia in the first of their two warm-up fixtures before kicking off their T2o WC campaign. With just a week to go for the blockbuster opener against Pakistan, captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid are aiming for certain targets before zeroing down on their playing XI for the match. Follow IND vs AUS LIVE updates on Insidesport.IN
Touchdown Brisbane 📍#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/HHof4Le3mP
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 15, 2022
While Rohit Sharma mentioned that he had already decided on his team for the T20 WC opener, the two warm-up games provide the opportunity to assess the situation. Unlike the two warm-up games vs Western Australia, India will have their full-strength squad for the match.
Here at Insidesport.IN, we look at 3 targets Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid will look to achieve in Brisbane.
INDIA vs AUSTRALIA Warm UP match at 9:30 AM on Monday, Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma takes 3 BIG targets for the match: Follow IND vs AUS LIVE
To gauge – Is SHAMI match ready or not?
Mohammad Shami has officially been added to India’s WC Squad replacing Jasprit Bumrah. However, Shami’s match fitness is still a cause of concern with the 32-year-old having recently recovered from COVID-19. In the past three months, Shami hasn’t participated in any kind of cricket. Shami has taken part in numerous tours to Australia.
He was part of the Indian team that claimed two-Test series wins Down Under. Shami last played a T20I during the last T20 WC, and Rohit Sharma will hope that he can return to his peak form and fitness in the warm-ups.
Ashwin or CHAHAL – who fits the bill in Australia?
While Axar Patel slots directly in as Ravindra Jadeja’s replacement, the second spinner selection is not so straightforward with Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal fighting for a solitary spot. Chahal has been in excellent form since the IPL this year, finishing as the purple cap winner and earning a recall. However, he has been expensive in recent games including a spell of 49 runs in 4 overs for just one wicket against Western Australia XI.
Ravichandran Ashwin meanwhile offers a match-up option against left-handed batters. He has also been economical since his return to the side, even though his wickets have dried up. Ashwin is the most experienced bowler in Australia and picked up 3/32 as the others struggled in the second warm up match.
Harshal Patel gets his rhythm back
Harshal Patel was India’s most-picked player since the last T20 WC having set the IPL by fire, with 50 wickets in two seasons. However, his injury and his subsequent loss of form has put his place in the side in doubt heading into the T20 World Cup. In the lead-up to the tournament, Patel has been particularly expensive amplifying India’s death bowling woes.
He did get back to his rhythm in the second practice game, picking up 2/27 in a fine comeback. Patel is India’s designated death-overs specialist since the last year. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah during the T20 World Cup, the onus is on him to do well.