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The lack of a deadly death bowler dearly hurt India in their last T20I against Australia, resulting in gifting away a match that was clearly in their own hands. Setting a massive target of 208 for the visitors courtesy of some brilliant batting by Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav, India was soaring to a win but the pacers in charge of the death overs were unable to defend the total.
During their chase, Australia needed 55 from the last four overs but wrapped up the game with four balls still left in the bank. The team were without their main pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who was out of the team despite being in the squad. Bumrah, who has been out of action since the end of the England tour, skipped the Asia Cup due to a back injury.
India's pace attack, including Hardik Pandya, conceded 150 runs in 14 overs, a major matter of concern ahead of the T20 World Cup. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the seasoned pro, has leaked 49 runs in the three penultimate overs (19th) that he bowled against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia.
And Yuzvendra Chahal, who has been India's go-to spinner in all conditions, isn't looking menacing. He has been expensive in the last few games and he will have to find a way to trouble the batters on wickets which doesn't offer much purchase. However, all-rounder Axar Patel, who was brought in as a like-for-like replacement for injured Ravindra Jadeja, has once again proved his worth with a three-wicket haul on Tuesday.
In batting, India's aggressive approach reaped dividends as KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav took the team beyond the 200-mark after top order batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were dismissed early.
Designated finisher Dinesh Karthik didn't get much chance on Tuesday and is likely to be given extended game time with the management looking to keep all options open going into the world cup.
Australia, on the other hand, looked like a well-oiled machine, despite the absence of key players such as David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Marsh. All-rounder Cameron Green nicely slipped into the shoes of Warner with a sizzling fifty at the top in only his second T20I, while Steven Smith and debutant Tim David also gave the team the required impetus with crucial cameos.
The experienced Matthew Wade too lived up to the finisher's role with a stellar 45 not out off 21 and India will have to pull up their socks to stop Australia from going on a rampage. Australia, however, would hope for a more disciplined show from their bowling unit after the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Green bled runs in Mohali.
The wicket at VCA stadium, however, will be different from the Mohali track. It is expected to be on the slower side, which will make bowlers' role more prominent in this game.
With dew setting in the evening, teams will prefer to chase than defend totals.
Squads
Australia
Aaron Finch (C), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.
India
Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (vc), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav.
