India T20 WC squad: India vs Australia T20 series: The T20 World Cup is just a month away with the ICC event starting from October 16 in Australia. Teams are in the last phase of their preparations for the World Cup and India have in fact announced their team for the showpiece event as well. Likewise, head coach Rahul Dravid will be keen to address some issues in their upcoming two series at home. Rohit Sharma are co are set to welcome Australia and South Africa before the T20 Cricket World Cup. The India vs Australia series starts September 20. Follow T20 World Cup live updates with InsideSport.IN
Here is a look at four such issues the team management would need to address. India play Australia in three-match T20 series. They also host South Africa for three T20s and three ODIs.
Ensure Bumrah and Harshal are match fit
There is some good news for the Indian team with both key pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel having passed their fitness test. The duo, who missed the Asia Cup due to injuries, have been, as expected included in the World Cup squad.
So, that makes the home series against Australia and South Africa even more important. Dravid will leave no stone unturned to ensure both players are match fit. Besides, they also need game time under their belt. Playing against top teams like Australia and South Africa is an ideal scenario to test their bowling skills as well.
DK or Pant in Playing XI
Dinesh Karthik vs Rishabh Pant: Who should India field in the Playing XI? It was one of the burning questions for Team India in the Asia Cup. When India field their best-balanced combination, it becomes difficult to play both.
They are both different players. Pant is mostly a floater and a middle order batter while Karthik is India’s finisher. The team cannot make this a musical chair, and rather zoom in on one player, give him a chance to impress and justify his place in the XI.
Middle Order problems
The top order of India, including Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have been amongst the runs for India recently. But the problem arises after them. There is lack of consistency in the middle order for India. Surykumar Yadav has been decent in patches, but the likes of Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda and Pant have not been at their consistent best. In fact, there is lack of clarity in the middle order as to who would be involved as number four, five and six as well. The finishing in the latter stages of the innings has been another concern.
Finding best replacement for Jadeja
With Ravindra Jadeja ruled out due to knee surgery, there is no player, who can fill in his shoes in the current India set up. Axar Patel with his all-round skills comes close, but the management did not show confidence in him in the Asia Cup. With India not having much left-hand batting options, this is a concern. They need to find the best solution and may need to experiment with other players and combinations in the home series as well.
India squad for ICC T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh.
Standby players – Mohd. Shami, Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Chahar.
India Squad for Australia T20Is: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohd. Shami, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah.
