Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India will look to sort out the batting order (especially the middle order) as they take on Australia in the final warm up game in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021 at the ICC academy ground on Wednesday. India registered a convincing 7 wicket win in the first warm up game against England.
The top three in the Indian batting order looks settled with KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma to open followed by captain Virat Kohli. Rahul looked in solid touch against England in the first warm up game.
With Ishan Kishan also displaying his hitting prowess in the first warm up game, the team management will be mulling playing him in the tournament. Rishabh Pant (29 not out) was promoted ahead of Suryakumar Yadav and it remains to be seen where the latter bats on Wednesday.
The talking point, however, remains all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who didn’t look comfortable in his brief stay against England. With Pandya not bowling, it remains to be seen whether the Indian think-tank will play him purely as a batter. Sans his bowling, India will also miss the sixth bowling option in case one of the five-strong attack has an off day on the field. Shardul Thakur can be another option for the team management.
As far as the bowling combinations are concerned Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakravarthy is likely to play in the first match against Pakistan on October 24. Both were rested in the first warm up game and is expected to play against Australia.
The form of two experienced pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will give confidence in the dressing room. Bhuvneshwar Kumar though looked a bit rusty against England. There is a good chance that Shardul Thakur might be tried against Australia.