3 Steps to success for India against Australia in the T20I series

India and Australia renew their heated rivalry when they lock horns in the first of three T20 internationals at the Gabba. The last bilateral T20 series between the two teams took place in October 2017, with the series finishing 1-1.

Since then, a lot of water has flown under the Australian and Indian bridges. The Australians were involved in an infamous ball-tampering saga, which led to the sacking of Steve Smith and David Warner. With two of their most influential batsmen out of the fold, Australia haven’t been the same force on the international stage.

They were thoroughly outplayed in England while they were also on the wrong end of a 3-0 score-line in the UAE against Pakistan. However, the most concerning aspect would have been the way South Africa dominated them on the Aussies’ home conditions.

India, on the other hand, have gone from strength to strength. Although they narrowly lost out to England in the ODI series earlier this year, they were able to pull off an impressive 2-1 victory against the same side in the T20Is. Recently, they made light work of the West Indies as they handed them a 3-0 drubbing in the T20 series and 3-1 in the ODIs.

The two countries couldn’t have had more contrasting fortunes building up to the series Down Under. While one represents an upward curve showing no signs of receding, the other is banking on some inspiration to get out of a rut.

On their last T20 travel to these shores, MS Dhoni masterminded a 3-0 sweep for the Indians. Through this article, we would look at three things the Indian team needs to do to ensure that they emerge victorious Down Under and pile on more misery on the beleaguered Aussies.

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#3. Score heavily and put the Australian team under pressure

Kohli would again hold the key

Before the shocking ‘sandpaper gate’, Steve Smith and David Warner were at the top of their games. The duo was easily among the best batsmen in the world with the former even laying a claim to be the best on the planet. Thus, when they were sacked, it was bound to create a huge vacuum.

While the rebuilding process was never going to be easy, the Australian batsmen have compounded them by making basic errors, errors that have cost them games.

The absence of Smith and Warner has left the Australians searching for a stable batting combination. Numerous names have been tried yet none have made the spot their own. With such uncertainty surrounding the hosts’ batting, it is imperative that India attacks their weaker suit with all their might.

India, meanwhile, have a power-packed batting line-up. Though questions over their middle-order still linger, their top three is as dangerous as any across the globe. Rohit Sharma seems to have finally come off age and looks primed to make his mark on Australian soil this summer.

His opening partner, Dhawan, on the other hand, has been patchy with his form yet would enjoy the fast and bouncy pitches Down Under.

However, the Indian batting will revolve around their lynchpin, Virat Kohli. The last time India toured Australia, many thought that Kohli was at the peak of his powers and couldn’t scale higher peaks. Oh! How wrong have they been?

Over the last year and a half, Kohli has been irresistible. The Indian skipper has scored runs in every part of the world and looks destined to heap more pain on Australia.

In the recently concluded series against South Africa, the Australian batting floundered when put under the cosh. The Indian team has the required ammunition to put up big scores and pile pressure on the Aussies. If the Indian team is to repeat their heroics of 2016, getting runs on the board is the first step to climbing that ladder.

#2. Attack with the spinners

Kuldeep would look to weave his magic

Australia’s last T20 assignment was in the UAE against the world’s top-ranked T20 side- Pakistan. Just like the Test matches, they crumbled under pressure to hand Pakistan the initiative.

While in the Tests, their downfall was a combination of Mohammad Abbas’ guile and their spinners’ laser-guided precision, the T20s again painted the picture of hapless Aussie batsmen succumbing to spin.

Australia failed to breach the 140-barrier on all three occasions as Pakistan’s spinners tore them to shreds. The Aussies were never batted out of the game by Pakistan yet the systematic dismantling of the former put the game the match beyond the visitors.

With Australia showing such susceptibility to spin, it is ideal for India to ask the Aussies to face a trial by spin. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are two of the best wrist-spinners going around and in Krunal Pandya, they boast of an Imad Wasim-esque bowler.

The Australian middle-order is highly unstable at the moment. Though the likes of Stoinis, Maxwell, Head and Carey possess the talent, they haven’t been nearly as consistent.

With a confidence crisis engulfing the batting line-up, India should fancy their chances of controlling the tide with their spinners and spin the series in their favour.

#1. Get Finch and Lynn early

Getting Finch early will be pivotal for India

For all of Australia’s problems, they still possess two of the most destructive T20 batsmen in the world. Finch and Lynn have been devastatingly consistent in the shortest format in various T20 leagues. Australia would hope that the pair can bring their A-game to the fore when India come calling.

Recently, Finch smashed the record for the highest individual score when he annihilated the Zimbabwean attack on his way to 172. The Australian captain has shown a penchant for scoring ‘big’ hundreds after establishing himself in the middle. Hence, it is of utmost importance that India concentrate their resources on getting him out early.

Lynn, meanwhile, has captured everyone’s imagination with his muscular hitting in the Big Bash and the IPL. The Queenslander makes full use of the fielding restrictions and would be entrusted with providing the Aussies with a rollicking start.

If both batsmen play for a lengthy period of time, the warning bells would start tolling for the Indians. In the past, the duo has shown a propensity to take the game away from the opposition. While their hitting prowess is rightly feared, both of them are highly shaky starters.

Lynn isn’t an assured starter against spin and likes the ball to come on to the bat. Thus, a case could be made to start off with Krunal Pandya to throw a spanner in his works.

Additionally, the pair has portrayed an apparent weakness against the incoming delivery. With Bumrah, who can bring the ball inward sharply, India should attack the two openers right at the outset.

If the Indians can get rid of the pair early, they would go a long way in establishing supremacy Down Under.