The T20I series stands between India and Australia is about to commence on Saturday in Ranchi, and the format is such that one player having a good day can affect the result of the match. However, the absence of Steve Smith might hamper the chances of saving their pride.
Conditions were windy in Ranchi on the eve of the first T20I. The visitors do have some match winners for the format like Daniel Christian, who has two T20 titles, and a runners-up medal in T20s this year. Even his IPL experience might help him to perform even better.
However, Team India is also eyeing to continue their winning momentum as it will also help them to improve their ICC ranking in T20Is. If India manages to whitewash the visitors by 3-0, then they will reach the no.2 spot in the rankings.
Indian skipper might also want to retain their first-choice XI because the six-day break between the ODI and T20Is might have helped refresh. But, still, players like KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Ashish Nehra and Dinesh Karthik do deserve a chance.
On the other hand, Australians might be doing some significant changes in the squad with the comeback of Moises Henriques, left-arm pacer Jason Behrendorff, allrounder Dan Christian and Tim Paine, the only specialist wicketkeeper.
Considering the pitch and weather conditions at the JSCA stadium, it can be said that heavy rain around the stadium in Ranchi is predicted and that meant the pitch spent some time under covers. More of the same is forecast on a match-day afternoon.
Some of the interesting stats about the match:
- The average first-innings score over the last five T20s at the JSCA stadium is 161.
- The last time India lost a T20I to Australia was in the 2012 World T20.
Probable squads:
India: Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni (wk), Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Australia: David Warner (c), Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Dan Christian, Tim Paine (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye/Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa
