Anticipating T20 World Cup in 2024, India and Australia prepare for
a fresh set of challenges
Visakhapatnam, Nov 22: Nothing exemplifies the problem with the international cricket schedule quite like this T20I series between India and Australia.
To start a five-match series four days after an ODI World Cup final is absurd in itself, although there is precedent as recently as 12 months ago with England forced to front up for a three-match ODI series against Australia four days after their T20 World Cup triumph.
On top of that, haven’t these two sides played against each other enough this year? They played a four-Test series in India in February and March, followed by a three-match ODI series. They played in the World Test Championship final in June straight after the IPL. They then played a second three-match ODI series in India in September just two weeks out from the ODI World Cup, where they met at the start and the end of the tournament. Not to mention the two sides played a three-match T20I series in India in September last year. Australia’s involvement in the Ashes series and India’s Asia Cup and Asia Games adventures in between times only add to the completely nonsensical scheduling of this series.
But, it’s on, and we’ll watch it. India have quite rightly rested nearly all of their World Cup squad, with the exception of Suryakumar Yadav who will lead the side, Ishan Kishan and Prasidh Krishna, although Kishan played just two games in the World Cup and Prasidh none. Shreyas Iyer will return for the last two games of the series after being rested for the first three while coach Rahul Dravid is also missing the series with VVS Laxman taking charge after coaching the victorious Asain Games team.
Australia have kept more of their World Cup squad in India with seven players remaining plus Tanveer Sangha who has been a travelling reserve for the entire tournament.
They only have added seven new faces including Matthew Wade who will captain the side, which means at least four of those who are still celebrating Sunday’s win will have to sober up enough to take the field. David Warner was originally picked to play in the series but made a late decision to withdraw and has been replaced by Aaron Hardie.
Spencer Johnson has also been withdrawn from the original squad due to injury with Kane Richardson replacing him. Pat Cummins, the ODI captain, and Mitch Marsh, the stand-in T20 captain for the last series Australia played in South Africa, have flown home alongside Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green. (Agencies)