IND vs AUS T20I Series: Ahead of the T20I series, Australia prepped themselves for the Spin challenge against India. Australian Batters practised a lot of spin throwdowns on both the right and left arm in the net session. Whereas Indian team and fans are hopeful for Harmanpreet’s Return in the T20I Series. Australian Star Batter Grace Harris will be seen playing in the T20I Series.
Grace Harris was not part of the one-off Test and ODI Series Squad. Her outstanding record in this format can justify Harris’s inclusion in the T20I squad. Grace Harris makes runs at a strike rate of 168 on the International stage. She made 501 runs in the last season of WBBL in 17 innings with a strike rate of 165. Her highest score in the tournament is 136 in 59 balls against Perth Scorchers. Grace Harris can be a proven game-changer for Australia in the Series. With her experience of Playing WPL in India, she must be aware of the conditions and pitch of D.Y Patil Stadium.
Australian Batters are prepping for the spinning challenge by India. India has a wide range of spinners in their squad. India has a difficult decision to make regarding their choice of off-spinners, including Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Minnu Mani, and Kanika Ahuja and left-arm spinners Saikia Ishaque and Mannat Kashyap. Saikia Ishaque, Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil played every match in the T20I Series against England.
According to my opinion, India should opt for uniformity and go with the trio of Deepti, Shreyanka, and Saikia. The trio took 12 wickets collectively against England.
Australian Batters are being greatly helped by their coaches to face Indian Spinners. Analyst Sunny Kaliyar and Psychologist Peter Clarke helped with Right Arm throwdowns while Shelly Nitschke, Assistant Coach Dan Marsh and selector Shawn Flegler helped with Left Arm throwdowns.
IND vs AUS T20I Series: Harmanpreet Aims to Hit Form
If we shift focus to the Indian team, the big hitters in the team are Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh, and Smriti Mandhana. Indian team is concerned with the performance of the lower middle order. Big hopes are from Captain Harmanpreet Kaur who is looking off-colour from recent matches. Harmanpreet has been unable to score even a run in four of seven games in T20Is after the T20 World Cup in South Africa. She looked in good touch against England in the One Off Test Match. Captain’s batting form is a centre of discussion and it would be best for the team if she regains her lost touch. Harmanpreet Kaur’s role will be pivotal if India wants to claim the T20I series against Australia.
During the media interaction, she said: “I have been getting the starts but unable to convert it into a big innings. Sometimes luck plays a part. I have been getting out in very weird ways on a couple of occasions – I don’t think I have played a wrong shot nor were they very good balls [that got me]. I am trying my level best to train and bat well so that I don’t feel I am out of form or not batting well.
She further added, “I batted in the nets even this morning so that I get more confidence. I am trying whatever is in my hands. My focus is to do well and the next three games are important.”
Harman’s efforts can be seen in the nets. She batted the longest and faced fast bowlers Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, and Titas Sadhu. Harmanpreet Kaur also faced spinners Saikia Ishaque and Shreyanka Patil. In the Beginning of the Net Session, she played some drives and dabs but after that, she started stepping out and hitting big shots. A few of the shots went behind the side screens and LED Ad boards.
The eyes will be on Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, and Harmanpreet Kaur in batting during the IND vs AUS T20I series. It is expected from bowlers like Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, and Pooja Vastrakar to continue their form for India. Hence, the lower middle order has to step up their game. If India is aiming to win the series then they have to adopt a ruthless attitude. Australians will also be looking to give a tough fight and give their best performance for the Team.
