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India’s tour of Australia started with an absolute cracker of a game, as the match went down to the wire.
Though India lost the match, what was on display was brilliant cricket from both the sides. Australia won by a close margin of four runs and took the early lead in the three-match series.
India did not do much wrong in the game though, but such are the margins in such a high profile game.
They still might look to improve on their fielding and bowling a bit, as their bowlers could have bowled better lengths.
Although it depends on the eleven that are on the field, picking those set of players is as important a task as any.
With series on the line and under pressure, India should pick their best side going forward in the Second T20I.
The make or break match of the series might witness one or two changes. Though no extreme selections or exclusions might be required as it was just the first T20I of the series. So let us have a look at the predicted XI for the next T20I.
Top Order:
Rohit Sharma
Though he failed in the first T20I, you can’t keep Rohit Sharma out of your side. A lot will be expected of one of India’s best opening batsmen of all time. He picks himself for the second T20I without any doubt. If India is to make a comeback in this series, Rohit has to come to the party.
Shikhar Dhawan
Rohit’s opening partner, Shikhar Dhawan was at his absolute best in the first T20I as he smashed 76 runs in just 42 balls. It looked as if India might win the game on a canter with Dhawan out there. Shikhar is a definite pick for the Second T20I.
With his innings in the first T20I, he put all doubts to rest regarding his place in this Indian T20 side.
KL Rahul
India should give another chance to the highly talented batsmen in form of KL Rahul. He failed in the first T20I scoring 13 runs off 12 balls.
Given his record in this format and India’s lack of choices in the middle order, KL Rahul will get another chance to prove his mettle.
Middle Order:
Virat Kohli
The Indian captain, in his first innings on the tour, could not get going. But expect nothing less from the best batsmen in the world to come back strongly.
The Indian captain will definitely look to improve upon his performance in the second T20I and will look to lead his side to victory.
Looking at the dynamics of the side, Kohli left his preferred no. 3 slot and it might take him a little time to adjust to his new position.
Rishabh Pant (WK)
Pant played a good knock in the first T20I scoring 20 off 15 balls. He hit some crucial boundaries but was not able to take India home as he got out in the second last over.
He kept wickets well on a bouncy Gaba track and will definitely play in the second T20I. He is pivotal as a finisher to India’s chances in this series.
Dinesh Kartik
Dinesh Kartik played his heart out for his team in the first T20I. He played a classy knock scoring 30 off just 13 balls.
Being in and out of the team, this knock should cement Kartik’s place in the side. He has proved again and again why his experience is useful in these kinds of pressure situations.
Krunal Pandya
Krunal Pandya had a nightmare outing in his first T20I. He gave away 55 runs while bowling and succumbed to pressure with the bat also.
He might still be picked for the second T20I as India doesn’t have any all-rounder options in their squad. Though, a much better performance would be expected from him in the upcoming matches.
Bowlers
Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav has been India’s ace spinner for some time now in limited overs cricket. The chinaman also became the leading wicket-taker after first 15 T20I's overtaking Ajanta Mendis.
He took 2 crucial wickets in the first T20I giving away only 24 runs in his full quota of overs. He is a definite starter for the second T20I.
Yuzvendra Chahal
India might have missed a trick in not picking up Yuzvendra Chahal for the first T20I. The ace leg-spinner was dropped in place of Khaleel Ahmed who was all at seas playing his first T20I in Australia.
Chahal should be picked up for the second T20I as he has a good record against the Aussies and could provide some good middle overs which India missed in the first T20I.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvi did no wrong in the first T20I. He bowled good line and lengths upfront and gave away only 15 runs in the three overs that he bowled in the power play. He is pivotal to India’s chances alongside his pace partner Jasprit Bumrah.
Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah, the current best bowler in the world, picks himself in any limited overs side in the world. He bowled up to his expectations in the first T20I giving away just 21 runs in the 3 overs he bowled, picking up the important wicket of Glenn Maxwell.
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