India vs Australia 2019 - Hosts Sweat Out in Nets ahead of 1st T20I

Time has come for India and Australia to square off in two T20Is, and five ODIs, which begins on February 24th in Vizag. Though Australia will face Pakistan in a short ODI series in March, it will be India’s final assignment heading into the 2019 World Cup. Meanwhile, the India National Cricket Team has landed in Vizag and had conducted a training session as well.

The BCCI’s twitter handle has shared some photos of the same –

Depart ✈
Arrive ?
Train & sweat it out ????#TeamIndia gear up for the 1st T20I in Vizag #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/Qv5tbFTQpw

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 22, 2019

India aims to settle dust ahead of the UK World Cup

Under Virat Kohli, the Indian team had found immense success in ODIs – winning the bilateral series in South Africa (5-1), Australia (2-1) and New Zealand (4-1). Not only this, the Indian team had been successful in winning the Asia Cup 2018 in the UAE. Besides, the Men in Blue won the home ODIs against the Windies.

However, their success rate in the T20Is has been marginally okayish. Though they had beaten the Windies in the shortest format lately, India-Australia drew the three-match T20Is (1-1) before losing to New Zealand in the close contest (1-2).

In the T20I squad for the two-match series, the BCCI had called-up Mayank Markande, the young leg-spinner. Also, the absence of Hardik Pandya could be a worrying sign for the hosts as well. Apart from them, the board has also rested Kuldeep Yadav from the T20Is; recalling him for five ODIs against Australia though.

Australia seeks redemption on the Indian soil

As India had beaten Australia across two formats – Tests and ODIs, they create history, as they achieved such results for the first time on the Australia soil. Meanwhile, under Finch’s captaincy, the Aussies will seek redemption on their upcoming tour. Though Smith and Warner still have more than a month before returning to the international circuit, the selectors have picked a relatively strong squad for India series.