[og_img]
- India need to beat Australia to keep the series alive
- As Nagpur’s pitch is slow, the role of spinners is important
- Bumrah’s fitness remains questionable
Having failed to defend a 200-plus score in the first match, the Indian team will need to overcome their weaknesses and win at any cost in the second match on Friday to keep the three-match T20 series against Australia alive.
Bumrah’s fitness questioned
The Indian team management is still in a quandary over whether to play pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah has not played a match since the England tour. He also did not play in the Asia Cup due to a back problem. He has been included in the squad for the series against Australia but as he was not included in the playing eleven for the first match, there is uncertainty about his fitness. India are worried about their pace attack and that includes all-rounder Hardik Pandya. He has given away 150 runs in the last 14 overs. Swing bowler Bhuvneshwar has also been a flop in the death overs. He bowled the 19th over against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia and gave away 49 runs in these three overs. Bumrah’s fitness in this situation is very important for India.
The weaknesses of the Indian bowlers surfaced
India have five matches before the T20 World Cup in Australia and in these matches coach Dravid and skipper Rohit have to remove the weaknesses of the team. The top three batsmen had been a major problem for India before the Asia Cup and now the bowling has become a concern as the weaknesses of the Indian bowlers have come to the fore in conditions that favor the batsmen. Even lead spinner Chahal has not been as lethal as before. It has proved costly in the last few matches. He will have to find other options to take wickets on pitches that are not conducive to spinners.
India benefited from an aggressive batting approach
India’s fielding in the last match was not of a high standard. India are benefiting from an aggressive batting approach. Rahul, Hardik and Suryakumar took India’s score to 200 plus by batting in the last match. The two top order senior batsmen skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will have to play big innings to strengthen the World Cup campaign. Dinesh Karthik, who plays the role of match finisher in the team, has not got to bat much in the last few matches and is likely to be sent to bat in the top order in the second match to keep his World Cup options open.
Australia has become a strong team in all departments
World champions Australia have become stronger in all aspects of the game. Although the team did not have matchwinners like David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Cameron Green played an important role in the victory of the team by batting brilliantly. Senior player Steve Smith and Australian debutant Tim David have strengthened the batting. Matthew Wade played as a finisher. However, the Australian bowlers need to bowl more disciplined. In Mohali, pace bowlers Cummins, Hazlewood and Green proved costly. Considering the fog, the team winning the toss will decide to run the runchase.
