2nd T20I: India eye strong comeback against Australia in Nagpur after Mohali defeat
The experimental Indian team will look to improve their performance and make a comeback against a well-settled Australia in the second game of the three-match series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
The first of the three-match series served as a lesson for the Indian bowlers, who faced the heat of the Australian firepower in Mohali and witnessed a 200-plus total getting overhauled comfortably.
Most of the batters did well as India posted their highest T20I score against Australia in the first game. So, the Rohit Sharma-led side couldn’t ask for more from their batters, but their bowlers were hammered in Mohali and the hosts would want a better show from them.
The BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly may have said that recent T20I losses don’t concern him, but the fact is that the Indian team looks highly unsettled with five more official T20Is left before the opening T20 World Cup game against Pakistan on October 23.
Yuzvendra Chahal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been expensive in the last few games and they will have to find a way to trouble the batters on wickets which doesn’t offer much purchase. India were also sloppy on the field, as they were guilty of dropping three catches, which drew criticism from former head coach Ravi Shastri. India need a strong and fiery Jasprit Bumrah because the other bowlers are frequently exposed by batting belters.
In contrast, despite the absence of important players like David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Marsh, Australia have played like a well-oiled machine. Australia, however, would hope for a more disciplined show from their bowling unit after the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Green bled runs in Mohali.
RAIN THREAT
Due to the rain and cloudy weather, the ground personnel covered the ground all day. Due to the recent spell of rain in Orange City and the likelihood of rain on game day, the VCA administration is keeping its fingers crossed.
The wicket at VCA stadium, however, will be different than the Mohali track. It is expected to be on the slower side, which will make bowlers’ roles more prominent in this game. With dew setting in the evening, teams will prefer to chase than defend totals.
The stadium administration will suffer a significant loss if the game is abandoned because it would be required to reimburse the purchasers. The enthusiastic crowd will feel a tremendous shock if the match is called off because it is the first international game to take place at this location.
Squads: Australia: Aaron Finch (C), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.
India: Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (vc), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav.