With the men in blue from India set to start their tour of Australia in less than a month at the SCG, both teams have announced their squads for the limited-overs series.
And with plenty of talented youngsters in both teams, here’s four players who are worth keeping an eye on.
Australia: Cameron Green
The man who Greg Chappell claims is the best young talent since Ricky Ponting, Green’s last two seasons domestically, especially the Sheffield Shield, have caught the eye of nearly every cricket fan in Australia and the eye of the selectors too.
A 21-year-old who’s a pretty handy all-rounder, Green has improved his batting game, averaging 51.1 in his last 19 innings (last two seasons), and has hit two 50s and four hundreds, including a best of 197* against NSW a couple of weeks ago. In List A cricket though, he averages 27.8, hitting only one 50 in seven innings so far.
He is handy with the ball as well, taking seven wickets at an average of 34.4, striking every 39 balls. He may find it tough to get into the side but if he does, and if he converts his Sheffield Shield form into the limited-overs format, he could be in the Test side and could be a genuine X-factor for the Australians.
Australia: Daniel Sams
Another talented fast bowler who is also handy at the end of an innings with the bat, Sams has continued to develop and grow into an X-factor all-rounder since entering the Australian domestic scene back in 2017 for the Sydney Sixers.
(Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
The 28-year-old is handy at the start or the end of an innings, especially with the ball. He was the BBL’s leading wicket taker last season, taking 30 wickets at an average of 15.4 and an economy of 7.8. All in all, he’s taken 52 T20 wickets at an average of 18.9, striking every 14 balls and taking a best of 4-14.
He’s also taken 16 wickets in ten List A matches at an average of 24.7 and a strike rate of 28.6, also averaging 26.6 with the bat, including a best of 62. If he gets a game in the Australian side, whether it be in the ODI or T20 series, he could be another genuine X-factor if he did what he did in last season’s Big Bash.
India: Shubman Gill (ODI only)
One of two batsmen who will be a massive part of India’s future, Gill has started to burst into the Indian domestic scene following some exciting performances in the Under-19 World Cup back in 2018.
With strong wrists and absolutely first-class timing, he has the potential to be a star at the start or middle of an innings. He’s so far averaged 45.6 in 56 List A innings, getting six 50s and 11 hundreds (including a best of 143). He’s also the sixth highest run scorer in this year’s IPL, getting 404 runs in his 13 innings so far.
He also played two ODIs in early 2019 in New Zealand, getting only 16 runs batting at number three. If he can (again) transfer his decent IPL form from this current season into the international format, then he could be a stalwart in this Indian side for years to come.
India: Sanju Samson (T20I Only)
A player who still has such raw potential at age 25, Samson has quite often been on the verge of Indian selection but just can’t break through yet. With such raw power and another genuine timer of the ball, he can turn a game quite literally on its head, especially at the top of the order.
The 25-year-old who’s only in the T20 squad, he has still played four T20I matches, scoring only 35 runs at an average of 8.75. T20s, though, are another story. He’s played 161 matches, scored 3807 runs, averages 27.2, strikes it at 128.8 and has hit 24 50s and two hundreds, including a best of 102* against the Sunrisers back in 2019.
He’s also a part time wicketkeeper, taking 83 catches and 14 stumpings, including 50 catches and six stumpings in the IPL. Currently the 19th highest run scorer in the 2020 IPL, if he can do what he sometimes does in the IPL, then he will be one to keep an eye on and get excited about.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Subi Floreat…. Absolute jet
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Interesting observation, I would think in some way you're right though, with the way the Tests are blocked it will be an intensive ask for Cummins and Starc. Starc was the leading wicket taker at the last 2 ODI World Cups, but Cummins and Starc also have the lowest Test strikerates for Australia, so management of both of them is essential. Cummins is on home soil though, so the IPL stint should hold him in good stead to be ready to go on familiar tracks.
Micko
Roar Rookie
What club did he play for?
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Just need his back to stay fit, they were quite obviously easing him into it. Guy is (hard to believe for a lot of people) an even better bowler than he is a bat, which is a scary thought for the opposition considering how good he is with the stick. I played junior cricket against him and he was bloody sharp as an under 14.... Serious talent.
maverick
Roar Rookie
Right. I think Cummins should not be an automatic selection in odi and t20is . I like him a lot. But his performance in those two formats has been very average since the world cup. AND he is having a mediocre ipl. Indian batsman won't be so troubled by him.So, I think he should be kept fresh for tests so that the likes of Sams,Abbot can get some opportunities.
Paul
Roar Guru
You may well be right, dat, but I think the Indian selectors are going to use every available game before they make a call. I'm sure India doesn't want a repeat of Rahul's ordinary 2018 tour, so can they afford to pick him? I also wonder whether Shaw is exactly everyone's cup of tea in the selectors ranks? The two 3 day warm up games, especially the one under lights before the First Test will give a pretty clear indication about who will score the other opening spot. I'd imagine India would want to play as near a full strength team in that game, so who ever partners Agarwal, at the SCG will get the nod for Adelaide, IMO.
dat
Roar Rookie
Unless both Shaw and Rahul flops and india manage to lose all 3 of their previous games , i don’t see Gill getting a game sadly. Shaw might still be the preferred opener initially(even though he has struggled against the short ball this ipl and on the nz tour even against southee) , while Rahul who is making a comeback to the test team based on his success in white ball cricket,is still a favorite of the team management. Plus Rahul also opens with Agarwal for their ranji team ,so i wont be totally surprised if they decide to try and get that partnership going on the international stage,even though i really doubt if rahul has gotten any better since he got dropped after the tour of windies.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
One of the great under-statements to say Green is "handy with the ball". He is a front line quick. Check out the beginning of his career before his bowling lay-off. He returned to bowling yesterday 1/15 off 8 overs. Top order wicket with pace and bounce.
Sam
Guest
Gill, one of two who will be massive part of India's future. Who is other u r referring? Shaw?
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
He's been in India's Test squad since their home series vs South Africa. Scored runs in domestic cricket and for India A. When Sharma got injured vs NZ this year, Gill had scored 204 vs NZ A a few days later. Instead of getting him in the XI, Prithvi Shaw was recalled into the Test squad and Gill was left out again. Some say it was Mumbai bias that got Shaw in over Gill in the NZ Test series. Is it true? Possibly. But Gill has to be Agarwals opening partner for Border Gavaskar series
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
I like the idea of Sams getting a run, results should be rewarded and his form last season deserves it. Green in the squad also would reflect that form in the first class tier matters.
Paul
Roar Guru
I certainly hope we can get an early look at Shubman Gill in the ODI's. An average of over 73 in first class cricket suggests this guy can really bat and must be in the reckoning to partner Agarwal in the First Test. That ODI series might be something of a Test dress rehearsal for him, assuming a) he gets to open and b) Australia play Starc, Cummins & Hazlewood in the ODI's.