After a disappointing ODI series, Team India will now move to the T20I’s. In the previous T20I series against New Zealand, India was good away from home, and they will look to maintain the momentum. Adding to this, the IPL game time could also prove to be an advantage.
Performances in the ODI games will inevitably have an impact when the coach and the captain sit down to select the playing XI for the T20 games. That said, a few members of the core will get one more chance, and the IPL form will also be considered. In this article, we predict the strongest XI that Team India can field for the first game. But, before that, let us have a look at the full T20I squad.
Team India’s T20I Squad: Virat Kohli (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul (VC & WK), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar, T Natarajan.
Australia vs India – First T20I
Venue: Manuka Oval, Canberra
Date: 4th December, 2020
Openers: Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul
Shikhar Dhawan would continue to occupy this spot for the T20I’s. He was in good form at IPL, and having a left-hander at the top will be a tactical gain. KL Rahul has been Team India’s best T20I batsman in recent months, and hence, he would come in at the opener’s slot. The top batsmen have to play more deliveries in this format. Hence, KLR is most likely to open the innings in the upcoming series.
Middle-Order: Virat Kohli (C), Sanju Samson (WK), and Manish Pandey
There could be an inclination to start with Shreyas Iyer for the first game. However, based on the power-hitting form that he is in, Sanju Samson deserves a chance. The Kerala player is also someone who takes less time to settle, unlike Iyer. Samson’s inclusion will also relieve KL Rahul from the wicket-keeping duties.
While Virat Kohli will play at No.3, Team India could have Manish Pandey at No.5. Although he is good with the big-shots, Manish can be really useful if there is an early loss of wickets. Also, he is the best fielder in the team, and his presence on the pitch will save a lot of runs for the squad.
All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja
Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are in fine form with the bat. With the bowl as well, they seem adequate. Although Hardik is bowling less, when he did roll his arm over in the ODI series, he looked good. The duo will be an important part of the squad. That said, if the management decides to rest Jaddu before the Test series, Washington Sundar could get a look in.
Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, T Natarajan, and Jasprit Bumrah
One of Jasprit Bumrah or Mohammed Shami will be part of the XI. However, we feel Bumrah will play, at least for the first game. Partnering with him will be fairly two inexperienced pacers at the international level. While Deepak Chahar will be tasked to pick wickets in the powerplay, T Natarajan will have to do the containing job at the death. On paper, this pace unit does look promising. Although Yuzvendra Chahal will play the first game, if he still leaks runs, management could pick Washington Sundar. The youngster will also add depth to the batting unit.
Predicted India’s T20I Squad For First Game: Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, T Natarajan, and Jasprit Bumrah.
