India vs Australia 2019: 3 reasons why Mayank Markande's inclusion in the T20Is is justified

India are fresh from their tour Down Under, which was historic in many ways. They became the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia. They also went on to beat the Aussies for the first time in a bilateral ODI series on their shores, winning that tilt 2-1.

India culminated their tour with a clinical and complete performance against a very strong and formidable New Zealand. The series scoreline of 4-1 in India's favor speaks for itself.

The only blip as far India was concerned came in the form of a series defeat in the T20I series. In rather dramatic fashion, Dinesh Karthik didn't take a single when India needed 14 off 4 balls, with a set Krunal Pandya at the other end. That unfortunately stole all the limelight from the good work done by India up to then.

In their quest to get all the bases covered before the World Cup 2019 and also to give opportunity to some new talent, India have selected young leg-spinner Mayank Markande in their T20I squad to face Australia.

Here's looking at why selecting Markande for the T20I series is justified:

1. Familiar conditions will play to Markande's advantage

The transition from Ranji Trophy or the IPL to playing for India can be quite daunting and nerve-racking for any cricketer. The expectations, and challenges go up several notches, and Markande would certainly be aware of that.

What will work in his favor is that this T20I series is being played in familiar conditions in India. That is a big advantage for a young, talented leg-spinner like him looking to establish himself in the national side.

Markande would know what lines and lengths to operate from, and can focus on delivering on his strengths. He won't have the added worry of adjusting to different conditions in overseas conditions, which is nice when you are making your debut for India.

Markande rose to fame with his outstanding control of his googly. Against an Australian batting line-up which is very vulnerable against good spin bowling in spin-friendly conditions, his inclusion for the T20I series is certainly justified.

2. Markande is an unknown commodity for the Aussies

Mayank Markande

Although it's going to be a a very short T20I series between India and Australia, the focus is on delivering results along with rotating some of the regulars as far as India is concerned. In that context, getting in a unknown commodity in the form of Markande can add to the potency of their bowling line-up.

The bowling attack looks very formidable with the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who had some time off in the past month or so. This would give the cushioning Markande needs to express and unleash himself on the Aussies.

A leg-spinner is hot property in the T20 format, with teams and franchises spending a lot of time and money on acquiring and grooming the right talent. When they get it right, leg-spinners are very tough to pick off the hand and if the pitch offers spin, then they can be quite a handful.

Markande will look to replicate the success that his Indian counterparts Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have had in the limited overs formats for India thus far. The Australian batsmen, apart from a few who have faced him in the IPL, are going to have to battle hard against this new challenge that's going to be posed to them.

3. The success stories of players transitioning from Mumbai Indians into the Indian team

Mayank Markande

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become the perfect platform to launch yourself and get noticed by the national selectors. Young cricketers play in fully packed stadiums and get to experience playing in high pressure situations. This brings out the best in them and gets the desired recognition and rewards.

Mumbai Indians have had many players who have made their mark in the IPL and have transitioned very smoothly into the Indian team across formats. Players like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Ambati Rayudu, Krunal Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah have gone on to reach new heights for the country post successful stints with MI.

The newest entrant in this league of players who will be soon making his first appearance for India in the T20I series against Australia is the feisty Markande. In 14 IPL appearances he has a wickets tally of 15 wickets at a reasonable economy rate of 8.23.

There is enough promise and talent in him to give stiff competition to the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal and make it to the playing XI more often. If given an opportunity, he will certainly want to impress, and that would be very exciting for viewers to watch.