India vs Australia: 3 Things India need to do in the 1st T20I

The first leg of Australia’s tour of India gets underway at Vishakhapatnam on Sunday. The last series between the pair ended in a 1-1 draw with the game at Melbourne washed out.

The three-match series Down Under represented the Aussies’ last T20I assignment. However, they haven’t enjoyed the best of fortunes in the shortest format as the draw against India was preceded by a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Pakistan in the UAE.

India, on the other hand, has been a formidable T20I side yet were undone by an inspired New Zealand side in their last T20I engagement.

The likes of Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul missed those games but with them back in the fold for the home series against Australia, India is bound to ring the changes.

Thus, through the course of this article, we would analyse the three things India needs to do to emerge victorious on the 24th of February.

Without further ado, here is a look at them:

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#3 Bring in Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav has proven himself before

The Indian selectors decided to accord Bhuvneshwar Kumar a break for the T20I series. Thus, Umesh Yadav and Siddarth Kaul were brought back into the squad to fill the void left by the lad from Uttar Pradesh.

The duo of Kaul and Yadav has been performing adroitly in recent weeks. While the former was away playing for India A, the latter was wreaking havoc in the Ranji Trophy knock-outs. The Vidarbha pacer single-handedly blew away Kerala in the semi-finals and wasn’t too shabby against Uttarakhand in the quarter-finals as well.

Hence, it would make sense for the Indian team to reward Umesh with a spot in the starting eleven. Moreover, the hosts would want to provide the fast bowler with a chance to stake his claim for the World Cup.

When Umesh is on song, there are very few bowlers who can rival his pace and swing. Thus, the Indian team is justified in giving into the temptation of trying him once before the World Cup.

Though Kaul would feel extremely hard done by to miss out, Yadav’s X-Factor is tough to ignore. And if Umesh can live up to his potential, he could just be in line to play his 2nd World Cup come May.

#2 Hand a debut to Mayank Markande

Mayank Markande has impressed so far

India has been well stocked in the spin bowling department for the past couple of years. The spin twins, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have captured everyone’s imagination with their brand of bamboozling wrist-spin. However, India would be without the services of Kuldeep as the left-arm chinaman was given some time off by the selectors.

Thus, the obvious choice would be to play Chahal. Yet, the Indian team management needs to be brave and throw Mayank Markande into the mix. The lanky leg-spinner has been making waves in the domestic circuit with his accuracy earning him rave reviews.

In addition, the lad from Punjab has been in decent bowling touch and recently scalped five wickets in the unofficial Test against the England Lions at Mysore. Moreover, the Aussies have never been too comfortable against spin. Hence, the time is ripe to unleash the relatively unknown Markande against Australia.

Though the Indians have zeroed in on the spinners they intend to take to England for the mega tournament, there is no harm in trying out another alternative. After all, if Markande is indeed special, India wouldn’t mind another match-winning spinner in their ranks.

#1 Play KL Rahul

KL Rahul deserves another chance

The opening batsman endured a troubled 2018. The wretched tour to England and Australia was followed up by a controversial appearance on a TV show. Inevitably, he found himself on the sidelines for cricketing and non-cricketing reasons. Yet, the Indian team has decided to gamble on KL Rahul one final time before the World Cup.

Rahul’s current situation is distinctly similar to the early part of Rohit Sharma’s career. The whole world knew of the talent the latter possessed but he wasn’t as consistent. However, in recent years, he has realised his potential and become a genuine match-winner for India.

Hence, akin to the chances given to Rohit, the Indian team management is trying different avenues to get Rahul into the groove and enable him to unlock his vast potential.

Though the inclusion of Rahul would be potentially problematic, considering Kolhi’s return, India needs to provide the former with a platform to showcase his repertoire.

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit have looked in good nick in recent times and thus, a game off wouldn’t hurt the pair. And while it is no guarantee that Rahul will grab his opportunity with both hands, one is always tempted to give him another go with the precocious abilities he boasts of.

Whether that will happen on Sunday is anyone’ guess right now. Yet, it is an option India surely needs to explore.