Key Match Insights: India Aims to Rebound in Hobart
The third T20 International between India and Australia is set to unfold in Hobart, with India desperately seeking to level the series after a shaky start. A major relief for the Indian side comes from the confirmed absence of Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who proved to be a tormentor in the previous match at the MCG. Hazlewood’s disciplined length and steep bounce had stifled the Indian batters, but his rest ahead of the upcoming Ashes series offers India’s top order a crucial opportunity to regain confidence against a less experienced Australian pace attack.
Hobart’s Bellerive Oval is renowned for its batting-friendly conditions and shorter boundaries, a venue that holds special memories for Indian cricket, notably Virat Kohli’s spectacular 133* in 2012. With the pitch expected to favor aggressive stroke play, India will be looking for a vastly improved performance after being restricted to just 125 in Melbourne.
The Curious Case of Arshdeep Singh’s Exclusion
Despite the favorable conditions for pace, the continued omission of left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh has raised many eyebrows. Arshdeep, India’s leading T20I wicket-taker with over 100 scalps, found himself on the bench at the MCG while India opted for three spinners on a surface that offered pace. Critics, including veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, have openly questioned the team management’s obsession with batting depth, especially when India struggled to post a competitive total in the previous game.
With India’s bowling combination under scrutiny and Harshit Rana’s inconsistent spells, bringing Arshdeep back into the fold could provide much-needed swing and penetration on Hobart’s open layout. The debate over team balance and Arshdeep’s role adds another layer of intrigue to this pivotal encounter.
Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill: A Chance for Redemption
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his deputy Shubman Gill have faced challenges against deliveries with extra bounce and seam. While they shined in the series opener, their struggles were evident in Melbourne. The Bellerive Oval, known for its true bounce and quick outfield, presents an ideal opportunity for these stroke-makers to find their rhythm once again. The smaller side boundaries could encourage them to play their shots, but maintaining control and intent will be paramount as they look to build a strong foundation for India’s innings.
Abhishek Sharma’s Relief and India’s Fresh Start
Young opener Abhishek Sharma candidly admitted his struggles against Hazlewood in Melbourne, acknowledging the Australian’s skill and discipline. With Hazlewood out, Indian batters like Sharma are expected to feel more at ease facing Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, and Sean Abbott, none of whom possess the same level of consistent precision. This shift in the opposition’s pace attack could be the catalyst India needs to reset its batting approach after two underwhelming performances.
Squads:
India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott (games 1-3), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman (games 3-5), Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis (games 4-5), Nathan Ellis, Glenn Maxwell (games 3-5), Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, and Marcus Stoinis.