Team India’s juggernaut continued as Virat Kohli & Co. thrashed Australia by 9 wickets (DLS method) in the rain-affected first T20 International at Ranchi on Saturday (October 7) to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Batting first, the visitors kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and could manage only 118 for 8 in 18.4 overs before rain halted the game and eventually ended their innings.
In reply, India, while chasing a revised total of 48 runs in 6 overs, began shakily as the in-form Rohit Sharma was castled by Nathan Coulter-Nile in only the second over. However, an unbeaten partnership of 38 runs between Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli took the hosts home comfortably in the end. The win helped India to win its seventh consecutive T20I against Australia.
With the team giving such a clinical performance, it is quite unlikely that the team management will tinker with the winning combination. So, here is a look at the playing eleven that India might go in with for the next game:
1. Shikhar Dhawan:
After completely missing the ODI series due to some family reasons, the southpaw returned to the playing eleven in style, scoring an unbeaten 15 to help India chase down the tricky total with ease.
2. Rohit Sharma:
The in-form Rohit Sharma began the proceedings with a four and a six before being castled by Nathan Coulter-Nile. With the form on his side, he will be looking to settle the scores in the next game.
3. Virat Kohli:
The India captain came at the crease in a tricky situation, but completely eased off the pressure with a flurry of boundaries as he remained on 22 to take the team home.
4. Manish Pandey:
The right-handed batsman, who showed form towards the end of the ODI series, did not get the chance to bat in the first game and is likely to retain his place in the playing eleven.
5. Kedar Jadhav:
Just like Pandey, Jadhav could also only contribute as a fielder and will be a likely inclusion for the next game.
6. MS Dhoni:
Except missing a stumping chance, Dhoni did not much wrong behind the stump. His place in the team should not even be questioned especially after his recent performances.
7. Hardik Pandya:
The man of the moment, Hardik Pandya was the costliest Indian bowler, conceding 33 runs off his 4 overs and will be keen to put up a good show in the forthcoming game.
8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar:
The right-arm pacer once again made his mark by dismissing the dangerous David Warner early in the innings and conceded 28 runs off his 3.4 overs. Is a likely starter for the next game.
9. Kuldeep Yadav:
The most impressive performer of the first game, Kuldeep bagged his maiden Man of the Match award after taking two for 16 off his four overs and looks set to spearhead the spin attack again.
10. Jasprit Bumrah:
Bumrah was also instrumental in restricting Australia to a low total, by taking 2 for just 17 off his 3 overs.
11. Yuzvendra Chahal:
The leg-spinner maintained his routine by dismissing Glenn Maxwell for the fourth time on this tour and finished his spell by giving up 23 runs. Looks likely to get the nod ahead of Axar Patel.
