After losing the One Day International series 1-4, the Indian cricket team played aggressive cricket in the T20 series and whitewashed Australia 3-0. With the 3-0 win, the Indian team became the number 1 ranked team in T20 and hope to continue their great form to lead up to World T20 to be held in India from March 11th. In the T20 series against Australia it was a team effort especially the bowlers were brilliant. Here we look at the 5 positives for India in the T20 series against Australia.
5 Positives for India in the T20 series against Australia
#1 – Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma has been in excellent form in the tour of Australia. In the One Day International series he scored 441 in 5 matches and was named the man of the series despite India losing the series 1-4. In the T20 series Rohit Sharma gave India flying starts which laid the foundation of big scores for India. He scored 2 half centuries in three matches. While chasing 198 in the 3rd match he gave India quick fire start to the team on which Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh could finish the match. He attacked the fast bowlers and was severe on the spinners. He scored 140 runs in 3 matches with the best score of 60.
#2 – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli had an excellent One Day International series against Australia where he scored 381 runs in 5 matches scoring 2 centuries and 2 half centuries. He continued his excellent form in the T20 series. In the first match at Adelaide he remained not out on 90 and helped India to reach a big total of 188. In the next two matches at Melbourne and Sydney he scored half centuries which laid the foundation for India winning. He played the fast bowlers and spinners with equal comfort and did not allow the Australian bowlers to put pressure on him. In the 3 matches he scored 199 runs and was named the man of series award. His brilliant batting has helped him to reach the top of ICC batsmen rankings in T20.
#3 – Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah was given a debut in the fifth One Day International at Sydney. He impressed with his bowling picking 2 wickets for 40 runs in 10 overs. In the T20 series he was the most impressive bowler of the series. In the first match at Adelaide he went for few runs but came back strongly to finish with 3 for 23 and also in the second match also he was expensive in the first two over’s but came back to finish with 2 for 37. His ability to bowl yorker’s at the death over’s makes him a dangerous bowler. Jasprit Bumrah has the find of the tour. He finished the series with the highest wicket taker.
#4 – Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja also bowled reasonably well for India in the T20 series. When the pace bowlers were being hit in the first six over’s, Ravindra Jadeja came to rescue and picked wickets at regular intervals which helped India to restrict Australia. In the first match he stalled the flow of runs and also picked 2 important wickets, in the second match too he took a brilliant caught bowled catch of Watson. He was one of the best fielders taking important catches. Despite going for runs in the final T20 he fielded like a champion.
#5 – MS Dhoni
In the final ODI he brought Jasprit Bumrah into the playing XI which was the right decision. In the T20 series he showed glimpses of what he can do with the bat. In the first T20 he scored 11 off 3 balls and also contributed in the second T20 also. He showed faith in the youngsters such as Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. Hardik Pandya went for runs in the first over in first T20 but he persisted with him and Hardik Pandya did not disappoint as he picked 2 important wickets. When the pacers were going for runs he brought the spinners on and put the pressure on the Australian batsmen.
Tags: Australia, India, Jasprit Bumrah, MS Dhoni, Positives, Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit Sharma, T20 Series, Virat Kohli
