India will take on Australia in a 3-match T20I series, beginning on Tuesday, September 20. The first game will take place in Mohali and once again, this series will be an essential one for the management to take stock of their performers ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Rohit Sharma and Co. were not at their better at the Asia Cup 2022 despite giving opportunities to a whole host of players. There is plenty of matter that needs to be replied to ahead of the global T20 competition.
Australia is in India without Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Marsh, but they have adequate strength to test the hosts. The Men in Blue have called a strong team to take on the defending world champions and this series will test a few key performers ahead of the marquee tournament.
First defeating Australia in Australia..🥳
..Now getting the best of them in our home turf?😉#cricket #viratkohli #hardikpandya #teamindia #indvsaus pic.twitter.com/A2EV2roeDr— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) September 18, 2022
On that note, we take a look at three Indian performers who will be under pressure to deliver ahead of the T20 World Cup.
#3 Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel was ruled out of the Asia Cup with a rib injury but is coming back now for the series versus the Aussies. He is also on India’s team for the T20 World Cup and now has to display his mettle against a strength-packed Australian batting order.
Harshal is well-known for his slower balls as well as an excellent dipping yorker. He was the major wicket-taker in IPL 2021 and this saw him get an India cap last November.
One year down, he has appeared as a key member of the T20I bowling attack, and with his capability to use the long
handle lower down the order, he will be keen to find his measure in this series.
Harshal Patel is ready 💪🏻🇮🇳#harshalpatel #India #TeamIndia #INDvAUS #Cricket pic.twitter.com/jPgluCOOva
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) September 19, 2022
#2 KL Rahul
KL Rahul found significant form towards the termination of the Asia Cup, but with Virat Kohli cracking a century as an opener, the Men in Blue have found a 3rd opener. Although, skipper Rohit Sharma threw his help back to Rahul to get the job done as his opening partner.
“KL Rahul, according to me, will play the World Cup and open. His performances for India tend to go unnoticed. He is a very important player for India. If you look at his record over the last 2-3 years, it is very good,” Rohit Sharma said to reporters ahead of the series.
Rahul emerged to battle to get going in the powerplay but over the years he has been India’s finest batter in this format.
The Karnataka-born player will find the conditions in Australia to his liking, but before this, he needs a fine series to get things rolling and settle the discussion as far as his role in the team is anxious.
#1 Rishabh Pant
After an outstanding start to his T20 career, Rishabh Pant has pointed off in the shortest format of the match. For his talent and match-winning skills in Test cricket, his T20I numbers are below par.
As far as stats are involved, he has averaged a fraction over 29 since 2019 while his strike rate is around 127 in 78 T20 innings.
In international T20s, he averages 24.48, while his strike rate is even inferior. There have been some superb performances all the while, but only 20 of Pant’s 78 innings have come at a strike rate of over 150. In almost all these games, he has entered to bat at No. 5 or earlier.
Indian players loving their new kit 🔥
(1/2)📸 – @RishabhPant17 @yuzi_chahal
& @deepak_chahar9#RishabhPant #yuzvendrachahal #deepakchahar #India #TeamIndia #Cricket pic.twitter.com/iZVG7CiRlt— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) September 19, 2022