Sunil Gavaskar Names His Opening Pair For India Against Australia In The First T20I

Former India captain, Sunil Gavaskar has picked KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan to open the Indian innings over the likes of Mayank Agarwal and Sanju Samson against Australia in the first T20I scheduled for Friday in Canberra.

India lost the ODI series by a 2-1 scoreline. After two massive losses in Sydney, Virat Kohli’s men came back to win a close thriller in the third ODI at the Manuka Oval. Apart from half-centuries from Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja, it was pleasing to see Jasprit Bumrah get at his unplayable best towards the end of the Aussie innings.

Dhawan has looked comfortable of late in T20s: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan should open the innings in the upcoming T20I series. Rahul and Dhawan were the top two highest run-scorers in the IPL 2020. In the ODI series, both scored a half-century each.

The right-hander amassed 670 runs for Kings XI Punjab and has been in thunderous form in white-ball cricket since the World Cup last year. Dhawan registered 618 runs for Delhi Capitals; he also became the first batsman in the IPL history to register back-to-back hundreds.

Dhawan opened with Agarwal in the first two ODIs, and then with Shubman Gill in the third one day match. Agarwal and Samson – both had fantastic IPL season with the bat – could be sitting out, according to Gavaskar. The 71-year-old believes that Dhawan has looked comfortable in the shortest format and should open with Rahul.

The commentator also stated that if the top three bats till the 15th over, then the inform Hardik Pandya should come at four, otherwise if early wickets fall, Shreyas Iyer should be the next man in.

Speaking to India Today, Sunil Gavaskar said, “For me, KL Rahul, who scored nearly 700 runs in IPL, and Shikhar Dhawan, who has of late looked most comfortable in T20 format should open the innings followed by Virat Kohli.”

“If they stay till 14th or 15th over, then Hardik Pandya comes in at number four or if two wickets go in Powerplay, then Shreyas Iyer,” he added.

Also Read: Australia vs India, 2020: 1st T20I, Canberra – Match Prediction