 "Suryakumar Gill can be dropped, the weak link has become the vice-captain, the role of the coach will be important – News-Patiala Punjabi")
On the verge of another series win on foreign soil, the Indian team will look to end the Australia tour on a high note by overcoming their batting weaknesses in the fifth and final T20 international here on Saturday. India maintained their 17-year unbeaten T20 series record in Australia and took an unbeaten 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the team will try hard to end this tour with a win.
The focus of the match will be on the batting of Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav, while Australia will look to strengthen India’s spin challenge ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year. The Indian team showed better tactical acumen in the previous match and the batsmen formed a good synergy on the difficult Carrara pitch. Gill gave the team a brilliant start which saw India in a strong position with a score of 121 for two in 14 overs, however, thereafter the team lost four wickets within 15 runs.
The captain-vice-captain will leave a mark
Vice-captain Gill has not scored a single half-century in seven innings but with 46 in the last match, he signaled a return to form. Suryakumar has had some impressive performances in the series but has struggled to convert his starts into big innings. The captain will be expected to set an example by batting with more freedom ahead of next month’s series against South Africa. Tilak Verma has also not found his rhythm in this series, scoring 0, 29 and five in his last three matches. Wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma will also be under pressure as he has not been able to make much of an impact in the last two matches after being preferred over the experienced Sanju Samson.
Abhishek and the following order
Abhishek Sharma lived up to his reputation as the world’s top T20 batsman, scoring a blistering half-century and giving his team an aggressive start in another match. India’s lower order has also been impressive. Akshar Patel scored an unbeaten 21 runs off 11 balls in the previous match. The presence of all-rounders at number seven and eight has strengthened the team. Dubey’s 23-ball 49 clinched the third T20 in India’s favour, while Washington’s three wickets for three runs in the fourth game helped India finish the match early. Dubey also scored 18 runs in 22 balls and took two wickets in this match.
The decision in the hands of the spinners
Australia were once again exposed to the best spin bowlers in the last T20I. Varun Chakraborty, Akshar Patel and Washington Sundar took six wickets in less than 10 overs at the Carrara Oval. Arshdeep Singh has once again proved his mettle with the ball for India, taking four wickets and forming an impressive new-ball partnership with Jasprit Bumrah. Despite Kuldeep Yadav’s absence, India’s spin trio of Varun, Akshar and Washington have been a formidable force. Both Shivam Dubey and Washington have played important roles with both bat and ball.
Host team problem
The team’s batting has been heavily dependent on captain Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Tim David. Travis Head’s absence was particularly felt in the last match, as the team lost by 48 runs chasing a modest target of 168 runs. In Head’s absence, all-rounder Matthew Short missed an opportunity to impress in the top order. He will be keen to improve on Saturday. Since Josh Hazlewood’s withdrawal from the series, the home team’s bowling attack has lacked sharpness. Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa have shouldered the brunt of the responsibility, but Ben Duarshis remained wicketless in the fourth T20I. The hosts may consider giving debut to Mahali Beardman in the final match.
India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Tilak Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dubey, Akshar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Varun Chakraborty, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Josh Phillippe (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Owen, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Kuhneman, Adam Zampa, Mahali Beardman, Dua Benerschis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Marcus Stoinis.