India look to set the tone against Australia

VISAKHAPATNAM, India: With home advantage and a team that’s almost full-strength, India will look to set the tone for the series against Australia in the first Twenty20 International here on Sunday (today).

With Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah back in the limited-overs fray, India will back themselves to be dominant in the two-match T20I series. Even in the absence of the two, India performed considerably well in the T20I series in New Zealand, losing a closely-fought series 2-1.

In Australia before that, they drew a three-match series 1-1.

India have been vulnerable overseas, but at home they’ve developed into an unstoppable force. In fact, since October 2015, they haven’t lost a bilateral series at home, and their last two series wins, against Sri Lanka and the Windies, have been clean-sweeps.

Australia last played T20Is in India in late 2017, where they did well to draw 1-1. Then, of course, they had David Warner in the side, who is currently serving a ban for ball-tampering, along with Steve Smith.

Australia still have plenty of batting talent. Aaron Finch, the captain, Glenn Maxwell, D’Arcy Short and Marcus Stoinis are all clean strikers of the ball. To complement their attacking style with a more measured approach are the likes of Peter Handscomb and Usman Khawaja. But consistency will be the key as will their ability to play spin on drier wickets.

Most teams have struggled against India’s wrist-spinners of late, regardless of conditions, and in India that threat will loom even larger.

Australia will have noted the absence of Kuldeep Yadav, who has been rested for this series, but they will still have to contend with Yuzvendra Chahal, and potentially, the uncapped Mayank Markande, who did very well in his first IPL last year. Krunal Pandya, the left-arm spinning all-rounder, will present challenges of his own.

But it’s not just spin India will rely on. Bumrah’s return is key, and Australia will be amply aware of the threat he poses with those crafty variations and high pace.