India would consider almost all their bases covered after a convincing win in the second warm-up game against Australia before ICC T20 World Cup. India chased down a below par total of 154 with 13 balls to spare winning the match by nine wickets. Earlier, Indian bowlers restricted Australia to 152/5 when stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma lost the toss and asked to field first.
Rohit shrugs off demons
Due to an inconsistent run in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, there was a concern over Rohit’s form. The opener led from the front in the run chase and did not let any of the Australian bowlers settle. The only player in the current Indian team who was a part of the title win in inaugural edition, paced his innings well and scored 60 runs off 41 deliveries including five fours and three sixes. The 34-year-old retired after getting the team in a comfortable position to win the match.
Surya shows his true colours
In the first warm-up game, Suryakumar Yadav could not capitalise on a good start by Indian openers. Against Australia, he showed his true colours playing unorthodox shots that not only yielded the results but surprised the bowlers. Yadav’s unbeaten 38 included five fours and one six. The one shot that stood out was the sweep shot off Aussie quick Mitchell Starc. The 31-year-old got across on one knee and converted the full delivery into a full toss to hit it for a boundary towards deep square leg. This shot was in response to the yorker Starc bowled from around the wicket.
Chakravarthy returns but not quite
Varun Chakravarthy’s fitness is another concern for the team management. The mystery spinner did not feature in the first warm-up game. Chakravarthy bowled two overs against Australia but leaked 23 runs. Marcus Stoinis took him to the cleaners scoring 21 runs off his bowling including one six and two fours.
Smith, Stoinis back in form
There were a few positives for Australia from the warm-up game as well. Steve Smith, who struggled in IPL 2021 for Delhi Capitals (DC) scored 57 runs from 48 deliveries. He did the damage control after the Australian top order collapsed. Smith’s strike rate was not convincing but he can play the role of an anchor for his team in the coming games. Glenn Maxwell continued his IPL form and played a good 37-run innings dragging the team out of danger. Stoinis’ return to form is a big positive for Australia. Stoinis did not get much game time in IPL 2021 because he suffered an injury. The last game he played for DC, he failed to make a mark. Against India, Stoinis remained unbeaten for 41 off 25 deliveries helping his side cross the 150-run mark and post a respectable total. He also nullified the threat posed by India’s mystery spinner.
Kohli – the sixth bowler
Indian skipper Virat Kohli played the role of a part-timer in the warm-up game. Kohli did a fair job by conceding just 12 runs from his two overs. The last time Kohli bowled in a T20I was in World Cup 2016 semi-final. However, it is yet to be seen if the team management is genuinely considering him as an option if one of the five bowlers is having a tough time in the middle. On the other hand, Hardik Pandya is yet to bowl a single over since July 2021. However, Rohit believes that Hardik will be ready to bowl before India start their campaign against Pakistan on October 23.
Ashwin jolts Australia, Warner fails again
Ravichandran Ashwin may very well be seen bowling in the powerplay overs in this tournament against sides who have struggled against spin. Ashwin troubled an out-of-form David Warner and sent him back to the dugout in his first over. He followed it up with another wicket of Mitchell Marsh, who came ahead of Steve Smith at no.3. Ashwin gave just eight runs from his two overs in the powerplay overs pushing Aussies on the back foot early in the innings.
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