Team India switched to T- 20 mode
India has switched to T20 mode and for the next two months every training session, every team meeting, and every match will serve one ultimate purpose: to help win the World T20 on home soil. It is against this backdrop that the three-match KFC T20 series against Australia begins at the Adelaide Oval here on Tuesday.
Whatever else happens in the three matches, Yuvraj Singh’s fortunes will be a story as important as the series itself, simply because of his status in Indian cricket.
While the idea of a fairytale return to international cricket is appealing, it must not be forgotten that Yuvraj last played for India nearly two years ago, when he foundered in the final of the World T20. This season, he had a decent time of it in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 346 runs from six innings, at a strike rate of a little over 100. This is a set of games critical to Yuvraj’s future, for when the World T20 rolls up, India cannot afford any nostalgic selections.
A more remarkable comeback story is provided by Ashish Nehra, a bowler whose last game for the country was the World Cup semifinal of 2011. Nehra has spoken of his bitter disappointment at being ignored since, and his failure to comprehend why. It is astonishing that despite everything, even at 36, he remains fiercely motivated to succeed.
Nehra still appears reasonably quick; quick enough at least to hurry those facing him. However, since the end of last year’s IPL, Nehra has played only three games of domestic cricket for Delhi — two T20s and one 50-over game. It will be interesting to see how he fares.
Suresh Raina too returns to the set-up, a week after having led Uttar Pradesh to glory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. On the losing side in that final was Pandya, the tournament’s highest scorer with 377 runs at a strike rate of 130.9.
The Baroda all-rounder, called up to the India squad for the first time, is an exciting prospect, not least because the team lacks a player who can clear the ropes at will in the lower order. Pandya’s exploits in the IPL have given him that reputation, one enhanced by his 46-ball 86 against Vidarbha earlier this month, when he clubbed eight sixes.
Tait, a native of Adelaide and a bowler of considerable pace, has not played for Australia since the 2011 World Cup.
The big-hitting Travis Head has earned a maiden call-up to the National side, as has medium-pacer Andrew Tye.
Both teams will use these games to work out a few combinations in preparation for the World T20. The series begins on what is Australia Day here and Republic Day in India. Much fun is in store.
The teams (from):
India: M.S. Dhoni (capt.), R. Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishi Dhawan, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Ashish Nehra, Hardik Pandya, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Umesh Yadav.
Australia: Aaron Finch (capt.), Scott Boland, Cameron Boyce, James Faulkner, John Hastings, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, David Warner and Shane Watson.
Match starts at 2:08 p.m. IST
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Source:Thehindu
