3 experiments India should try in the T20I series vs Australia
The Indian Cricket team will play two T20Is and five ODIs from February 24, against Australia at home in what will be their final international series before the all-important World Cup. The World Cup begins on the 30th of May, a fortnight after the IPL.
India will try to do maintain the core team and give them as much match practice as possible. However, they will also like to make a few smaller experiments that can provide them with flexibility and strategical advantage in the series.
India should do all the experiments with the three T20I games before the ODI series. The ODI series should have a similar eleven India is going to field for the World Cup. Without much ado, let us get into the list of three experiments India should try in the T20I series Vs Australia.
#1 Chahal bowling in the Powerplays/death overs
India should experiment with Chahal bowling in the power-play overs. The spinners predominantly operate in the middle-overs and have been fairly successful. With World Cup around the corner, India should have the option of using spinners in the power-play or in the final overs, if the fast bowlers struggle.
Bhuvaneswar Kumar is leaking runs in the final overs in the past one year and is not effective as he once was. On a batting surface, with the batsmen in slogging mind in the death overs, it won't be a bad idea to bring in spinners to take a wicket.
India is currently going with a similar pattern of Bhuvi and Bumrah bowling the majority of first and third powerplay; Hardik and the spin-duo taking care of the 2nd power-play. With spinner's expertise in bowling in death, India can spring some surprise to the opponents with a dynamic strategy.
With Kuldeep rested for the T20I series, Chahal can be tried in the initial and slog overs.