The13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) has finally concluded giving lots of positives for the future of India’s emerging stars. We have witnessed break through performances from the likes of Ishan Kishan, Devdutt Padikkal, Surya Kumar Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy and T Natarajan. These guys will be desperately hoping to make their dream debuts for Team India at the earliest opportunity.
Team India will finally be back in business after a forced break of close to eight months and with the teams already announced. Starting November 27th, the Indian Team will travel to Australia to play 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is, and 4 Test Matches. The tournament will mark the first international assignment of the ‘Men in Blue’ in the post-COVID era.
The ODI squad consists of many newbies like Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson and Shardul Thakur who will be held back on the bench waiting for that one single opportunity to prove their mettle and give a tough fight for their seniors. The absence of injured Rohit Sharma does raise a few eyebrows, but overall, the touring party looks competent enough to pose a challenge.
Team India’s T20I squad for the Tour of Australia:
Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Mayank Agarwal, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Navdeep Saini, Shardul Thakur.
In this article, we take you through Team India’s most likely starting XI for the ODIs. While IPL performances will have an impact, the first-choice XI will wear a similar look to the recent XI’s of Team India.
- Shikhar Dhawan
In the absence of Rohit Sharma, the onus will be on the experienced Shikhar Dhawan. The Southpaw is no stranger to playing in Australia and team India will be banking on Dhawan to provide them with a healthy start.
The good thing is that Dhawan will be coming in the ODI series with runs behind his back in IPL 2020. Playing for the Delhi Capitals, Dhawan has smashed 2 centuries and is among the leading run-getters in the tournament. On the other hand, Dhawan’s record suggests that ODI is his favourite format as time and time we have seen his play some outstanding knocks in 50 over cricket especially against the Aussies.
2. Mayank Agarwal
Usually, the combination of Rohit and Shikhar would have given headaches to Australia in the ODI series. However, with no Rohit in the side, it will be up to Mayank Agarwal to show his mettle in 50 over cricket.
In the last few years, Agarwal has matured as a batsman that reflects in his consistent performances. He has been superb in IPL 2020 and his confidence will be sky high when he bats in ODIs. Thus far Mayank has only played 3 ODI matches in his career but that doesn’t reflect the quality of batsman he has become in the recent past.
3. Virat Kohli
The greatest ODI batsman Virat Kohli will be once again a rock for team India at 3. The number 1 ODI ranked batsman has dominated Australia in their backyard in all formats of cricket. Kohli likes the challenge of facing Australia and relishes the opportunity to lead from the front with the bat.
His batting form will be crucial for India if they again want to win the ODI series against Australia. Without Rohit, there will added burden on Kohli’s shoulder this time but we all know he always thrives under pressure and wins matches for his team.
4. Shreyas Iyer
Since cricket world cup 2019, Shreyas Iyer has cemented his place at number 4 for India in ODIs. The right-handed batsman has been brilliant in the middle order for India both home and away. In the last ODI series against New Zealand, Iyer was the leading run-getter for India and showed he is an ideal number 4 batsmen.
He will be tested in Australia on his first tour and he will surely get a barrage of bouncers when he comes out to bat. However, Iyer has shown that he has a really good temperament which allows him to score runs against quality oppositions.
5. KL Rahul
The new vice-captain of team India, KL Rahul is expected to bat in the middle order. Naturally a top-order batsman, Rahul is an ultimate team man and has now become the new finisher of the India side.
As a batsman, the elegant batsman is at the peak of his powers as he is in full command of his game. In IPL 2020, Rahul has outperformed every other batsman as the leading run-getter in the competition. It will be fascinating to see how Rahul helps captain Kohli from behind the stumps during the ODI series.
6. Hardik Pandya
Making a comeback to international cricket after a long break will be Hardik Pandya. The destructive all-rounder will hold the key for India in the lower middle order. Thus far in IPL 2020, Pandya has now bowled a single over hence it will be interesting to see whether he resumes bowling in the ODI series.
Once Pandya starts bowling it automatically improves the balance of the Indian side. The hard-hitting batsman will be keen to perform against Australia and show his class in the death overs. Pandya is an ideal batsman at 6 as he has the power game to take away the game from any side only in a few overs.
7. Ravindra Jadeja
At number 7, Ravindra Jadeja is foreseen to play as the spinning all-rounder in the ODI series. In the recent Jadeja has contributed with notable performances with the bat down the order. On top of that, his left-arm spin will be handy in the ODI series.
Not to forget his outstanding fielding with which he can change the course of the match in no time. Jadeja will be a pivotal player for India in the 3 matches ODI series Down Under.
8. Yuzvendra Chahal
There’s no denying the fact that Yuzvendra Chahal at present is one of the leading spinners in the world. His ability to pick wickets in the middle overs and hold his own against best batsmen makes him an automatic pick in the side. Chahal playing for RCB in the IPL has been at his most useful and will be keen to continue his top form against the Aussies.
9. Jasprit Bumrah
The leader of the bowling attack of India throughout the ussie tour will be Jasprit Bumrah. He will be the trump card for captain Kohli and will be given the bowling during crunch situations.
India needs Bumrah to be at his best to have a successful tour of Australia. Bumrah will be looking to hit his stride from the ODI series and pick wickets to put pressure on Australia.
10. Mohammed Shami
Sharing the new ball with Bumrah in the ODI series will be the dependable Mohammed Shami. The main asset of Shami is to make the new ball talk with seam movement and knock off the top order of the opposition.
Shami can go for runs in his 10 overs but invariably he tends to pick wickets at regular intervals. Come the Australian tour Shami will be once again a premier bowler for India in all formats.
11. Navdeep Saini
The pitches in Australia will certainly suit the bowling style, Navdeep Saini. The exciting fast bowler will add another dimension in the pace attack of India with his raw pace. Saini can crank it up very quickly and be a wicket-taker in any stage of the game. Also, if Navdeep Saini can impress in the ODI series he can also play as a third seamer in the all-important Test series.
