The Indian team, riding on near-flawless batting performances in the previous two games, is determined to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series series.
Why is Tilak eager?
The return of Shreyas Iyer, who enjoyed a week’s rest after the World Cup final, sets the stage for a potential change in the playing XI.
Iyer is expected to resume vice-captaincy duties from Ruturaj Gaikwad, and this could lead to Tilak Varma making way for Iyer. However, the decision is more likely influenced by team combination rather than form.
The spotlight will be on Tilak, hoping to make the most of his potential last opportunity in the series.
What awaits Team India in Guwahati?
The new-look Indian team, showcasing commendable batting prowess, aims to maintain its dominance on the Barsapara Stadium track, known for being a batting paradise.
The 22-yard strip is expected to favour the batsmen once again, setting the stage for an exciting run-feast.
In the previous two games, the Indian batting unit collectively scored 36 boundaries and 24 sixes, captivating the audience.
With a bustling crowd of 40,000 expected to fill the stands, the match promises excitement, skillful performances, and potential changes in the team dynamics.
What’s ailing Australia?
For Australia, the challenge lies in the fatigue of senior players like Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa, who have been in India for nine weeks.
With considerable rest needed before their upcoming assignments, these players will also participate in the Big Bash League next month. Steve Smith’s next international assignment will be the Pakistan Test series.
India’s batting show in the series
- The trio of
Yashasvi Jaiswal , Ruturaj Gaikwad, and captainSuryakumar Yadav has delivered impressive half-centuries each, showcasing the team’s batting depth. - Ishan Kishan, despite spending nearly five and a half weeks on the World Cup bench, has showcased his form with two consecutive half-centuries.
- Rinku Singh, known for his superb rear-guard knocks, has solidified his role as the designated finisher, staking a claim on the No. 6 slot in the batting order as India look ahead to the T20 World Cup.
- However, Tilak Varma, who hasn’t missed any of India’s last 12 T20 Internationals, finds himself in a challenging position. Batting at No. 5, he has faced only 12 deliveries in the last two games, prompting questions about his role in the team.
- In the first game, he contributed 12 runs off 10 balls in a chase of 209, while in the second game, he faced the final two deliveries of the Indian innings as Rinku Singh was promoted ahead of him.
The Big Question: Will the skipper consider dropping down the order himself, providing an opportunity for Tilak Varma to face more deliveries and gain valuable runs before Shreyas Iyer’s inclusion in the next game in Raipur?
Improved bowling performance for India
- India’s bowlers delivered an impressive turnaround in the second T20I, showcasing a marked improvement from the series-opener where they conceded 208 runs.
- The nature of the tracks played a crucial role, and the bowling unit responded well to defend a substantial target of 235.
- While the dot ball count in the first two games remained consistent — 45 in the first and 44 in the second — the significant improvement came in the reduction of boundary percentage during the second game, especially in the dew-laden conditions of Thiruvananthapuram.
- After being hit for 24 fours in the first game, the Indian attack managed to halve that number in the subsequent match.
- Pacer Prasidh Krishna, who faced a tough outing against Jos Inglis and Steve Smith in Visakhapatnam, made a strong comeback in the second game, securing three wickets in his second spell.
- It’s important to note that Prasidh bowled with the luxury of a massive target of 235, providing him with a cushion and reducing the pressure on him.
- Even the typically profligate Arshdeep Singh displayed a change in form, successfully executing block-hole deliveries during the death overs.
PM Modi consoles team India in dressing room after World Cup final loss against Australia
The Squads:
India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.
Australia: Matthew Wade (captain), Aaron Hardie, Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa.
Match starts at 7pm IST.
(With inputs from PTI)