With 50-over Cricket World Cup approaching its business end, time to shift the focus a little bit to the 5-match T20 series against Australia. India Cricket Team will be in action again immediately after the WC, starting Nov 23. Before that, it’s time for the India squad for Australia T20 series. Even though Team India will be busy playing in World Cup, chief selector Ajit Agarkar will meet with other selectors on or before the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final on Nov 6 to decide on the squad for IND vs AUS T20 series. There will be no Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Suryakumar Yadav is likely to lead India.
There is a chance that Hardik Pandya may return to lead. But it all depends on his fitness. Hardik is a crucial part of India squad for Cricket World Cup. But at the moment, he might miss two more games. If he does miss the remaining WC games, he will be back to lead India in the IND vs AUS T20 series. A call on who will lead will be taken later.
“Ajit the selection committee will have a meeting sometime next week before or after the Mushtaq Ali final. We have time for the T20 series. As for who is going to lead will depend on Hardik’s fitness. The idea was to have Surya or Ruturaj leading. Now, if Hardik misses a lot more games, selectors may think of giving him the captaincy. We will take a call next week after assessing Hardik’s fitness,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
Mission T20 World Cup 2024
For many, the five-match IND vs AUS T20 series would be yet another cricket series. But for BCCI and the selectors, it is the beginning of preparations ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 in June.
With all senior players including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rested, it will be an opportunity to give the youngsters a platform. The likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson will be among the hopefuls who will get a run in the T20 series.
“Of course, it is a great opportunity to test some of the players. We won’t have a long time for the T20 WC as there will be no international matches between March and May. So, we have to make every opportunity count in the series that we get. It all starts with the India vs Australia T20 series,” the BCCI official said.
What to expect in IND vs AUS T20 series?
- The IND vs AUS T20 series will formally mark the beginning of preparations for T20 WC 2024.
- All eyes will be on the captain. Even though Hardik Pandya is supposed to rest, if he misses out on World Cup, he may come back to lead.
- If he does miss out, Suryakumar Yadav or Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the side.
- However, if SKY is involved in the remaining Cricket World Cup games, he too will be rested.
- The team will be similar to the Asian Games gold medal-winning squad.
- The likes of Rinku Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal apart from Sanju Samson will be in action.
- Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI Selection Committee will announce the squad sometime next week after the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Final on Nov 6.
- Rahul Dravid and his coaching staff will also get a rest while VVS Laxman and the NCA coaching staff will take charge.
India vs Australia T20 series schedule
| Match | Day | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Thu | Nov 23 | 7:00 PM | Vizag |
| 2nd T20I | Sun | Nov 26 | 7:00 PM | Trivandrum |
| 3rd T20I | Tue | Nov 28 | 7:00 PM | Guwahati |
| 4th T20I | Fri | Dec 1 | 7:00 PM | Nagpur |
| 5th T20I | Sun | Dec 3 | 7:00 PM | Hyderabad |
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