Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue are gearing for the T20 World Cup and are all set to lock horns with Australia in the first warm-up game at the Gabba in Brisbane on Monday (October 17).
India's star pacer Mohammed Shami stormed back in team's squad for the T20 World Cup as he replaced Team India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled of the marquee tournament owing to back injury. Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur, on the other hand, were added to the reserves list.
Shami, who joined the Indian team ahead of the first warm-up game, was seen bowling in the nets. He even cleaned up Dinesh Karthik, who was looking in good touch in the nets in Brisbane.
Shami, who hasn't played many white-ball games since the T20 World Cup last year, will look to get back up to speed before India kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Melbourne, next Sunday.
Shami was supposed to play in the six T20Is at home against Australia and South Africa but tested positive for COVID-19 and had to remain in isolation. On return he had to prove his fitness before NCA approved his trip to Australia.
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India, led by Rohit Sharma, came into the World Cup after breaking Pakistan's record of most T20I wins in a calendar year. However, after beating Western Australia XI on October 10, they lost to the same opponent in Perth despite KL Rahul's half-century.
Virat Kohli didn't play in either of those games and it remains to be seen if he takes the field on Monday. The Men in Blue will also be looking to sort out their ideal bowling combination.
Australia, on the other hand, will go into the World Cup after losing to England 0-2 in a bilateral series. But prior to that, they beat Nicholas Pooran's West Indies 2-0. The Aussies, in the meantime, have had a few injury concerns.
David Warner injured his neck in the second T20I against England, and may not take the field against India. Moreover, their skipper Aaron Finch talked about giving their players adequate rest before the Super 12 of the mega event.
Head to head
Matches – 26, Australia - 10, India – 15, N/R – 1
In Australia
Matches – 12, Australia - 4, India – 7, N/R - 1
India squad for 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, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami.
Australia's squad for T20 World Cup: 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.
