5 conclusions from the India vs Australia T20Is series

A 1-1 scoreline really does a favor to the Aussies more than anything as it could easily have been a 2-1 or a 3-0. It is to their credit that they were able to snatch the win in the first T20 but they were pretty much under the pump in the next two matches and they should really thank the gods to come away with a tied series rather than a loss.

Despite that, it was still a well played out series keeping in mind both the fast-approaching World Cup and the coming 50 overs and Test series. After three T20Is(well, in fairness just two and a half), we can surely make some conclusions about the series. Let's go through a few of them.

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#1 Indians have acclimatized and the signs are ominous

Shikhar Dhawan seems to be in the form of his life right now

The first six overs in the final T20I, if they give any indication then the Aussies need to start putting plans in place because if some players looked still at sea with the Australian conditions earlier then they don't anymore.

Shikhar Dhawan is smashing the ball all across the field, Rohit Sharma was also able to get his eye in and did the part, Virat Kohli himself guided the chase and won India the match. And this is just the top three we're talking about.

With the kinds of pitches that are on offer in Australia these days, they're not as much of a challenge as they used to be earlier.

On the bowling side as well, Australia look clueless against spin of Kuldeep and with Chahal and Jadeja expected to come in during the ODIs and Ashwin during the Tests, it could make it tough for the Aussies to score the mammoth scores that are a feature now of the ODIs in Australia or sustain themselves to score big in Tests.

#2 Against the Aussies, spin is the way to go

The Kuldeep mystery seems a bridge too big for the Australians

One clear storyline that emerged from the three T20Is is that Australia have failed to understand Kuldeep's spin. In all the three matches not only has Kuldeep been economical but he has also taken wickets at regular intervals.

On the other hand, Australians have been able to negotiate pace with relative ease(although it did wreak havoc in the second match for them as well) and in the death overs, they have been able to score heavily as well.

With Chahal and Jadeja also part of the ODI Squad, India could look to tighten the screws around the Aussies and field three spinners in ODIs. With big grounds and no idea of where the next ball might turn, Australia is looking at an uphill battle against India in the ODIs. In Tests, although it would be interesting to see what combination India fields.

#3 Dinesh Karthik shows his class while Pant appears to be rough around the edges

Dinesh Karthik looks like a complete package

There were two occasions this series when Pant had a chance to book his slot for the World Cup taking place next year. In the First match, the equation was in the balance as a good partnership was stitched by both Karthik and Pant which brought India back into contention. But then while trying to get innovative Pant lost his wicket and that pretty much turned the pendulum towards Australia.

In the third T20I, Pant again came to bat when the team was in a spot of bother and needed someone to stay with Virat and ultimately take the team through. On the very first ball, pant tried to pull a slow bouncer and was caught by the wicketkeeper.

On both occasions Karthik came to bat and on both occasions, he looked like the better batsman both technically and temperament wise.

For now, Karthik seems to be the better option as a wicketkeeper while Pant's entry into International cricket seems a bit rushed for now at least in the limited overs format.

#4 Finch in a spot of bother

Finch talked about Perform or perish culture in the Australian team before the start of the series

5,41,11,7, 27,0 and 28 these are Finch's scores since the series against South Africa. Before the series started, Finch talked about no one's place in the side to be secure and everyone needs to perform to keep their place.

But it's been a while since Finch has made a sizeable contribution. He's struggled in the middle, not got going as well as he would have liked and the impact is pretty visible. If the captain is not able to perform it makes it tough to lead an already jaded unit.

To add to it, Finch is opening the inning and has failed to set a platform for the explosive middle order to exploit. Pressure is mounting now, will the current captain himself fall victim of the "perform or perish" model?

#5 Starc will be Australia's X-Factor this coming World Cup

There were shades of brilliance from Starc during the Indian Onslaught

India really went after the Australian bowlers in the first six overs of the final T20I. The bowlers were smacked all around the park with not much happening for the bowlers. Both Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma had smacked the bowl out of the ground with consummate ease.

And then, out of nowhere, Starc bowled a beautiful inswinger at pace and Dhawan despite being in the form of his life couldn't get his bat to it on time and was struck in front of the stumps.

Australia got the wicket on the review but in that brief moment, Starc showed shades of what he can do. On a lifeless pitch with the opposition going at the rate of knots, he produced brilliance which in another match with Cummins and Hazelwood backing him up could have changed the game.

In that brief moment, Starc, the highest wicket taker of the last World Cup, showed who is going to be Australia's trump card in the World Cup.