Pandya sets comeback date, Dhawan picks Australia's match-winner and more - Cricket News Today, 21st November 2018

The 21st of November marked the start of India's eagerly anticipated 2018/19 tour of Australia. However, it was a rather disappointing beginning for the Men in Blue as they went down by four runs in the first T20I at the Gabba.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami could land himself in trouble after exceeding BCCI's mandated quota of overs in a Ranji Trophy match. All-rounder Hardik Pandya has identified an upcoming series for his comeback plans.

Here are all of today's important news from the cricket world.

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#5 India go down fighting in opening T20I against Australia

Shikhar Dhawan's valiant 76 was not enough to clinch the game for India

India began their tour of Australia with a narrow defeat in the first T20I at the Gabba. In a match interrupted by rain, the Men in Blue fell agonisingly short of their target by a mere four runs.

After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, India began promisingly through Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. However, the Australian batsmen ruthlessly targeted the inexperience of Khaleel Ahmed and left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya.

Chasing a D/L revised target of 174 from 17 overs, Shikhar Dhawan got India off to a powerful start. However, the other top-order batsmen flattered to deceive against a wily bowling attack. Despite Dinesh Karthik's pulsating cameo towards the end, the Aussies held their nerve to seal a close victory.

#4 Dhawan attributes Australia's victory to Zampa's brilliance

Adam Zampa's stunning spell turned the game in Australia's favour

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has attributed Australia's victory in the first T20I to Adam Zampa's game-changing spell. The leg-spinner dismissed KL Rahul as well as Virat Kohli in quick succession and turned the match in the hosts' favour at the Gabba.

At the end of the game, Dhawan said, "He (Zampa) had good control. We had to target all the bowlers and we did try to target him. In the next game, we'll have better plans against him."

The southpaw added, "We've played here before. The experience helps. It was nice to see Rishabh (Pant) do well especially in Brisbane because we get more bounce here. This was the first game but we adjusted well. But Zampa had an influence on the game."

The second T20I between Australia and India will take place on Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

#3 Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow set to return to England's Test XI

Stuart Broad was overlooked for the first two Tests against Sri Lanka

Having taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series, England are set to unveil a couple of changes to their playing eleven for the final Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo. Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow return to the lineup at the expense of James Anderson and Sam Curran respectively.

While Broad replacing Anderson is a result of the team management's workload management policy, Bairstow's inclusion has been made possible because of Curran's side strain. The dynamic right-hander will occupy the crucial number three spot.

England XI for Colombo Test: Rory Burns, Keaton Jennings, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes (wk), Adil Rashid, Jack Leach and Stuart Broad

#2 Hardik Pandya eyes Australia ODIs for comeback

Hardik Pandya will not take part in either the T20I or the Test series in Australia

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is eyeing the 3-match ODI series against Australia for his national comeback. Having resumed bowling in the nets, the right-arm seamer is hoping to return to action during the 50-over leg of the Australia tour.

Pandya revealed, "I'm trying hard to be fit for the ODI series against Australia to start in January 2019. To get back to full fitness, I'm going through rigorous bowling sessions in Mumbai. I have just started bowling after 60 days. Once I bowl a few overs in the ODIs, I think I should be on the right track."

After playing four Tests on the England tour, Pandya twisted his back during the Asia Cup encounter against Pakistan in Dubai. Since then, he has been undergoing rehabilitation in a bid to counter the after-effects of the injury.

The three-match ODI series between Australia and India will begin on January 12th at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

#1 Mohammed Shami exceeds mandated quota of overs in Ranji Trophy match

Mohammed Shami is a key part of India's bowling attack for the upcoming Australia Tests

Indian pacer Mohammad Shami exceeded the BCCI-mandated quota of overs during a Ranji Trophy match. Representing Bengal, the 28-year old seamer delivered 26 overs in the first-innings of the encounter against Kerala.

Prior to the game, Shami was cleared to play for Bengal with a BCCI stipulation. In order to preserve him for the upcoming Test series in Australia, the Indian board had set a limit of 15 overs (to be extended by a maximum of 2 overs if needed) for the seasoned pacer in an innings.

However, Jalaj Saxena's resilient batting performance for Kerala forced Bengal skipper Manoj Tiwary to continue bowling with Shami even after the dictated upper-limit. The right-arm pacer picked three wickets from 26 overs at the cost of 100 runs.