Team India will aim to bounce back in Hobart when they face Australia in the third T20I on Sunday. The men in blue succumbed to a 4-wicket defeat after a horrific batting failure in Melbourne. Coming to Hobart, they will look forward to making a spirited comeback against Australia sans Josh Hazlewood.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, the BCCI shared a video in which the Indian team can be seen travelling to Hobart for their next fixture against Australia.
The video also captured a heartwarming moment featuring Shubman Gill. Before boarding the team bus, Shubman paused to greet Abhishek’s parents — warmly hugging his mother and respectfully touching his father’s feet. In a touching response, Abhishek’s father kissed Shubman on the forehead and pulled him
into a fond embrace.
“Our next challenge beckons. Melbourne to Hobart as #TeamIndia are all set for the 3rd T20I #AUSvIND,” the caption of the video read.
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With the Ashes Test series scheduled to begin later this month, Josh Hazlewood has been given a much-needed break to rejuvenate before the grueling five-match contest. His absence for the remainder of the series could come as a relief for Indian batters, many of whom have shown vulnerability against bounce and lateral movement. Facing Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, or Sean Abbott will be comparatively less daunting, offering India a window to regain confidence with the bat.
However, India’s persistent focus on batting depth has been a major talking point throughout the tour. The approach, aimed at bolstering the lower order, has backfired at times — none more evident than the dismal 125 all-out at the MCG. On a pitch offering extra bounce, India went in with three spinners, yet surprisingly left out Arshdeep Singh, the only Indian bowler to claim 100 T20I wickets.
Sources indicate that head coach Gautam Gambhir views Harshit Rana as a long-term project and a fixed member of the current setup, even though his performances have lacked consistency. But with conditions at Hobart expected to aid swing, India would be wise to reconsider their combination — perhaps dropping a spinner to bring back Arshdeep, whose left-arm seam could prove invaluable.
(With Agency Inputs)
