When Indian Team started this home season, they had one mission in their back of mind, ‘Mission 111’. A comprehensive ODI series win by 4-1 against Australia took them one more step closer to their desired destination.
First thing first, we have to decode you ‘Mission 111’. Three one of this mission reflects to number one position in all three formats. Two of them have been ticked and the last one remains to be ticked.
Test Mace holder India leapfrogged Australia and South Africa in the ODI ranking to get placed on the top. Now, hosts just need to extend their ruthless form in the T20I series as well, where a result of 3-0 will place them second with 122 points, only three points behind top-ranked Kiwis, who will tour India for 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. Thus, a whitewash in the T20I series will make things easier for India.
Currently, India is placed fifth on the charts of T20I rankings with 116 points and seventh-ranked Australia is six points behind them. A result of 3-0 in Australian favor will take them to 3rd place and hosts will reduce to the current Australian position in the rankings.
However, a chance of this outcome is quite bleak as Indian team is currently at its peak. Return of Ashish Nehra will also boost the confidence in the bowling line-up and it will be interesting to see whether he will get a nod in front of Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, who is in red-hot form in limited-overs cricket. Though, Nehra’s experience is second to none in this squad. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah’s place looks confirm in the playing XI.
If India manages to beat both Australia and New Zealand in the T20I series, Virat Kohli and army will become the second team in the history to achieve this rare trio. South Africa is the only other team, who were top-ranked in all three formats in July 2012.
India-Australia will lock horn in the first T20 International on Saturday (October 7) in Ranchi, before traveling to Guwahati and Hyderabad respectively for remaining two matches.
