With the conclusion of this year’s IPL, cricket lovers across India were in desperate need of some cricketing action. The last time Team India were supposed to be in action was on March 18, 2020, against South Africa. But a pandemic brought an end to a series that did not even begin. However now, the wait is over as Team India, donning the new - 1992 retro jerseys, are all set to lock horns with Australia in Sydney on Friday, in what is going to be an enthralling series.
Both sides are stacked and it will be exciting to see some new faces making their debut. Although this is going to be a huge series for both teams, India is going into the white ball series without their regular opener Rohit Sharma. Indian skipper Virat Kohli said in a press conference that there is no clarity and a lot of confusion over Rohit’s injury which he picked up during this IPL. Although, Rohit is not a part of the white balls squad, the BCCI had named him in the red ball squad, but according to Kohli there is still no update on Rohit’s current condition. However, late on Thursday night (November 26), the BCCI informed via a press release that Rohit is currently undergoing rehab at the NCA in Bengaluru and his next assessment will be conducted on December 11, following which the BCCI will have clarity on his participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Going into this white ball series, a new batsman will walk out to open the innings with Shikhar Dhawan. India do have a good number of young and slightly inexperienced openers in the form of Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill, and India’s Test opener Mayank Agarwal, all ready to pair up with Dhawan. KL Rahul will be donning the gloves and will be important with the bat. It will be interesting to see where he bats for India.
India’s bowling lineup looks really good with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami leading the attack. With Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur making it to the Indian squad, the addition of T Natraajan gives Kohli some really good options with the ball. Spin twins, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, gives India a variety in the lineup. For India, Virat Kohli will be key with the bat and Jasprit Bumrah with the ball.
On the other side, the Australians are also going into this series with two new faces, all-rounders Cameron Green and Daniel Sams. Moises Henriques makes a return to national side after a long time. Skipper Aaron Finch will be opening with David Warner, who recently finished quarantine and reunited with his family post the IPL. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis will be key with both bat and ball. Alex Carrey will be donning the gloves for Australia while leggie Adam Zampa, being the specialist spinner, will be key for Australia in the middle overs. For Australia, Steven Smith will be key with the bat and Mitchell Starc with the ball.
With this being the first cricket match being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a fresh wicket can be expected which means that the pacers will be looking to go hard at the batsmen.
