It seems Australian selectors took India lightly in the T20 International in Melbourne on Friday.
This Melbourne match was a do or die for Australians trailing 0-1. They had to win it to level one-all in the three match series.
So why rest their best batsmen Steven Smith and David Warner in this vital match?
They may be tired but, surely, twenty overs (90 minutes) of fielding would not have exhausted them?
And in the first place, why exclude the in-form T20 batsman Usman Khawaja from their squad?
Beating India 4-1 in ODIs gave Australian selectors a false sense of security. But these facile wins were achieved mainly because of the scintillating batting displays from Smith, Warner and George Bailey.
None of these three were in the Melbourne T20 International.
Australia’s bowling resources have been poor in both ODIs and T20Is. Thanks to India’s terrible bowling Australia could score heavily and win the ODIs.
But with the inclusion of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (who was mysteriously dropped in the last three ODIs) and the introduction of medium-pacer with an unusual action Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian attack had some oomph in the T20 Internationals.
India’s 2-0 win makes the Sydney T20 a dead match. Yet I expect about 40,000 – including 25,000 Indians dressed in their national flags blowing bugles and chanting India jeetega meaning ‘India will win’ – to turn up at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.
So far, India’s Virat Kohli has batted brilliantly stroking 149 runs in two T20Is (90 and 59) without getting out. A score of 51 will give him an average of 200.00.
Would that be a record in a three-match Twenty20 series?
Now to raise a debate among Roar readers.
The Australia versus India Test series is played for the Border–Gavaskar Trophy.
After who should the ODI series between the two countries be named? Warne–Tendulkar? Dravid–Ponting? McGrath-Kumble? Clarke-Sehwag?
And the T20 Internationals after Kohli–Warner? S. Smith–Dhoni?
The Roar nominations are open.
Chris Gale Home Improvements
Guest
I think you're not giving the Indian bats credit. They were in red hot form. If Starc had played he also might have gone for plenty. Bat friendly pitches, not much seam movement, Indian bats for once not spooked by the bounce of Australian pitches. I've watched cricket for a long time and I've never seen such a consistently dominant display by overseas batsmen over our bowlers. Credit where its due.
Prosenjit
Guest
Last time india played just two odis vs aus,one in the tri series and one was the world cup semi @ajay.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Doesn't mean the rest can't push their place, we just assume that's how it should work with the shield so I don't see why that should not be the case with the BBL
Prosenjit
Guest
The bad thing is knowing they don't have their best attack,they chose to weaken the side by resting batsmen.yesterday they were without their four top odi bats and just one of them on valid reason.
B2
Guest
If it is a series or match between countries it should be named INDIA - AUSTRALIA or vice- versa depending on who initiates the idea,
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Simoc, Kohli missed his series average of 200.00 by one run but he became the only one to score three scores of 50 or more in a bilateral three-match T20 Internationals.
The Magic Man
Roar Rookie
Play for the Ganguly Cold Waugh.
matth
Guest
Yes but at least 8 of our best T20 team did not play BBL, as they are established internationals
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
It sounds lame and lazy, rather than clever to make statements like 'even Starc would have struggled'.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
But they had to try out bowlers. They had no choice about that as the last T20 attack for Aus before this series was Cummins, Starc and NCN with Marsh, Watson and Stoinis as the part-time pacemen v England in 2015 None of the first three are going to the WorldT20. What else are they meant to do but send out experimental attacks?
ajay
Guest
"Even Starc would have struggled." New to cricket right? Aussies with starc,Cummins,ncn,patto,hazlewood odi's 5-0,t20 aus 2-1 or3-0 last time ind failed to win a single game against aus. Starc is huge asset .
Chinmusick
Roar Rookie
100% - It makes perfect sense if you think about it. One thing that is an issue for us is that our locked players do not play anywhere near as much T20 cricket as they would if they were in the domestic system, so we are basically selecting them because they are who they are, not because of any recent proven form in the format which is as worry. Although in saying that you would always select people like Warner and Smith etc,,. I would be interested to see how a BBL all stars team (Limited to Australian players) would fare against India in a T20 - I mean a team made up of the best players from the BBL this year not necessarily the players who are automatic selections. I dare say they would flog them...
Chris Gale Home Improvements
Guest
Yawn. India too good in the T20s. Would not have mattered who the selectors picked. The ODIs were won 4-1 but was more like 3-2. Australian bowlers totally ineffective against India's top order. Even Starc would have struggled. Look at Khawaja. Step up in class from BBL. That was a great ball from Nehra to dismiss him.
James T
Guest
01 Watson 02 Khawaja 03 maxwell 04 Bailey 05 smith 06 Warner 07 keeper( is Haddin an option) 08 Faulkner 09 Starc/ Pattinson 10 Cummings/ hazlewood 11 Ahmed / Boyce Not sure which bowlers will be fit.
Simoc
Guest
Kohli blew it. Only got 50, not the required 51.
VivGilchrist
Guest
Have India ever rested Dhoni and Kohli in games vs Australia?
Sandy
Guest
Around 40 000 people, not too shabby.
Don Freo
Guest
That probably works to the advantage of both the players and the selectors.
Lara
Guest
The selectors are as arrogant as some of the players.
Peter
Roar Rookie
They've been brilliant.