IND vs AUS: ‘Will Be A Very Important Factor’: Ashish Nehra Picks Australia’s ‘Key Player’ For India T20I Series

Aaron Finch, 35, will be the centre of attention in the next T20I matches against India after he announced his ODI retirement during Australia’s recent home series against New Zealand.

He will still serve as the T20I captain and skipper of the squad in the forthcoming series despite having retired from ODI cricket. The series, which begins on Tuesday in Mohali, would be decided by the batter, according to former Indian bowler Ashish Nehra. 

Aaron Finch Will Be A Very Important Factor For Australia In This Particular Series Going Forward: Ashish Nehra

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Nehra said, “Key player I would say is Aaron Finch because he’s the captain and he’s someone who has not been in the best of form in the last few months if you see. He has retired from 50-over cricket, but is still playing T20 cricket.” 

“He will be opening. If you can lead from the front, if you go into the tournament with confidence, it makes a big difference.” 

“His runs are important for Australia and its dressing room atmosphere.” 

“So Aaron Finch will be a very important factor for Australia in this particular Series going forward in the World Cup”, he further added. 

Many supporters and analysts believe that Finch’s decision to withdraw from ODIs stems from his bad performance in that format this year. Prior to the forthcoming T20 World Cup, which will start in October of this year, he will be looking to get some momentum.

Ricky Ponting Wants Pat Cummins To Lead Australia In ODI’s

Pat Cummins may replace as Australia’s next ODI captain, according to the former captain of Australia Ricky Ponting. In reference to the ICC Review, he stated: “I think it’ll be Pat Cummins, to be honest.” 

“I know he doesn’t play all the ODIs for obvious reasons, because his workload in Test cricket has been, like all the fast bowlers, very high in the last few years. 

“I know they are very conscious of making sure that they’ve got Cummins, (Josh) Hazlewood and (Mitchell) Starc a 100 percent fit and healthy for the big Test series to come around. 

“But look, I’ll be surprised if it wasn’t Pat Cummins”, he further added.

The first Twenty20 International (T20I) between India and Australia will take place on Tuesday at the Punjab Cricket Association in Mohali, while the second T20I will be played on Friday at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. On Sunday, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad will host the third and final T20I. 

Also Read: IND vs AUS: “You’d Be Very Brave To Write Off Virat Kohli At Any Stage”: Australia T20I Captain Aaron Finch