Having confirmed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2007-2008, Australia is now going to face India in a Twenty20 match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 1 February. Australia defeated India 2-1 in the four match test series recently. So, India lost in Melbourne and Sydney, while won the third test at Perth. The concluding match was ended in a draw in Adelaide. So, India now must be eager to win the Twenty20 match in order to boost up their confidence level ahead of the CB series.
Australia is undoubtedly the most dominant team in ODI and test crickets. They won last three ODI world cup and was in the final of last four world cup tournaments. Australian is also dominating the test arena for a decade and no other team could even pose any threat to Australia.
However, it is not the case of Twenty20 cricket, the latest format of cricket. Australian could not yet show the similar dominance in Twenty20 cricket so far. In contrast to Australia, India is one of the most successful sides in Twenty20 cricket. Though time has not come yet to say that India dominates in Twenty20, but it is almost certain that India’s young wings led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni have already proven their ability winning the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup last year in South Africa.
Australia faced India in Twenty20 cricket twice with losing both times. Australia vs India first Twenty20 match was in the semi final of Twenty20 world cup, where India projected a narrow 15-run victory to reach the final. Just a month later, India defeated Australia at the home soil by 7 wickets. If you think that it is not enough to prove India’s Twenty20 success then note that India lost one out of their nine Twenty20 matches so far. Australia, in contrast, lost six out of their 13 matches in Twenty20 cricket, not matching with their ODI and Test performance.
Australia vs India only Twenty20 match of the tour is now the center of all attention to the fans of both sides. Indian fans want India to see emerge victorious in the Twenty20 match as a part of taking revenge of their test series lose to Australia. The host Australia will also try their best to show their dominance in Twenty20 cricket. The home side must be gearing up to take revenge of their two loses to India in Twenty20 cricket.
Australia vs India Twenty20: Indian Squad
Well, the first thing that pops up in my mind about India’s twenty20 team is the new look of the side. India played almost all of their nine Twenty20 matches so far without featuring three of three star veterans- Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. The three veterans were also absent in Twenty20 world cup. So, to tell the truth, you can get a look of new generation Indian team in the Twenty20 squad of Indian team.
India’s twenty20 squad for the only Twenty20 match against Australia is full of young cricketers. Indian selectors declared similar squad for Twenty20 match and the upcoming CB series. The notable omissions of the squad are Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. Sachin Tendulkar is in the squad, but is unlikely to take part in the twenty20 match. Selectors pointed out the fielding skill of Ganguly as the reason of his exclusion.
Well, I do support the selectors on their decision of keeping Sachin, Sourav and Dravid out of twenty20 team, but they have a lot to give India in ODI and Test cricket. However, Ganguly was out there to lead India with his batting and leadership for many years. It is simply unacceptable that you are axing a former captain and one of the most successful batsmen of world cricket pointing out his less strong fielding skill.
Well, for Twenty20 cricket, I think, it is a balanced side. Gautam Gambhir has been in good form in Twenty20. Virender Sehwag, Robin Uthappa, Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Kathik, Dhoni all are well-suited for Twenty20 cricket. With the inclusion of all rounders Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Indian team seems to be strong enough to continue their winning run in Twentuy20 format of cricket. However, the player who proved his classy batting show in Twenty20 world cup was Yuvraj Singh. Hitting six 6’s in an over during the world cup match against England, he made the newspaper headlines.
Indian bowling line up seems to be up to the mark. RP Singh, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla are in the side. Piyush Chawla has come back as the second spinners of India, while Sreesanth has recovered from his injury and is ready to take part in the Twenty20 match. I think, RP Singh will miss the match as the in form pace man picked up an injury during the last test at Adelaide and will need four weeks to come back in action. However, India’s spin attack will be led by Harbhajan Singh, who has recently been released from the three match ban for racist remark to Andrew Symonds.
India Squad
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik, Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla
Australia vs India Twentu20: Australian Squad: Australian Squad
The most notable inclusion of Australia’s Twenty20 squad for the match against India is David Hussey, the brother of Michael Hussey. David Hussey has spent a successful season with Victoria which has won him a place for the first time in Australian Squad. So, the twenty20 match against India could be his international debut for Australian team.
Michael Clarke has been named vice captain of Ricky Ponting, considering the future of Australian team. Ben Hilfenhaus and Ashley Noffke have come back to Australian team. Mathew Hayden and Mitchell Johnson have been rested for the match considering the upcoming CB series.
Left arm spinner, Brad Hogg has come back in the squad. However, I think, Andrew Symonds and Brett Lee could be vital for Australia. Both of them are in good form and capable of destroying the opponent. So, India needs to have a special eye on these two players. I think, Australian team also seems to be balanced and an exciting match is waiting in Melbourne.
Australian squad
Michael Clarke, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Ricky Ponting (capt), Brad Hodge, Andrew Symonds, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Adam Voges, James Hopes, Brett Lee, Ashley Noffke, Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus.
Australia vs India Twenty20: Live on Television Channels
Australia vs India twenty20 match is now the center of all attention. Fans are eagerly waiting for the match and expecting an interesting match on 1 February at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. There are many who are now trying to know the names of the television channels which will bring the live action of the match for their viewers. I could find out the names of the following television channels that will telecast the Australia vs India twent20 match live. The names of the television channels are given below:
Sky Sports
Star Sports
Channel Nine 1080i high definition
Australia vs India Twenty20: Online Live Score
Those who will not be able to watch the match live on television can get the online live score of the match from different websites. Here, I am giving the links of some of those websites from where you can enjoy online live score and updates of the match:
Cricinfo
Cricketscorelive
Mapsofindia
action8cricket
thatscricket
expressindia
123india.com
Sify sports
Australia and India both are strong side to face. At least, considering their recent success, you can not make any question here. India’s success in Twenty20 cricket might make you feel hopeful ahead of the match. However, India’s successful run in twenty20 cricket will be challenged strongly at Melbourne. Now, let us see if India can continue their impressive twenty20 performance against Australia.
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