In a build up to T20 World Cup 2022, Team India is gearing up for the three-match home T20I series against Australia which is slated to kick off from September 20.
With the star-studded players on both the sides, the series promises to showcase a thriller of a contest.
But right ahead of the first T20I match between India and Australia on Tuesday (September 20), Punjab Cricket Association has landed in some unnecessary trouble as Chandigarh Police have asked to clear the dues of Rs 5 Crore.
This even poses a threat on the future of the three-match series as the security plays a crucial role in such high-profile matches.
Manisha Chaudhary, SSP (traffic/security) raised an issue about remaining dues on September 17 and said," We have made security and law & order arrangements for the stay of both Indian and Australian teams in UT Chandigarh. Also, the Punjab Cricket Association has been asked to make payment of outstanding dues of previous matches held in Mohali, for which security arrangements were made by Chandigarh Police”.
Team India however suffered a massive jolt in the form of their star pacer Mohammed Shami, who has been ruled out of the series after testing positive for the Covid-19. Meanwhile, another star pacer Umesh Yadav has been called in as Shami's replacement.
On the other hand, Aaron Finch & Co. would be eager to see Tim David who is set to make his debut in the series. Tim David has been playing leagues all around the world and it won’t be wrong to say that he is the find of the Franchise League.
Virat Kohli would be quite aware that Australia is a far more difficult opponent than Afghanistan. Aussie pacers would definitely expose his offside channel and make sure that he isn’t given any chance. Australia would be without David Warner which means that India have an extra advantage as we all know that Aaron Finch’s form has gone from bad to worse.
India squad for Australia series: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav.
Australia Squad for India series: Aaron Finch (Captain), Steven Smith, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Agar, Cameron Green, Daniel Sams, Sean Abbott, Josh Inglis, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis.
India squad for ICC T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh.
Australia T20 World Cup squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
