India must iron out bowling issues, firm up middle-order

Australia appears a settled combination and has an edge as the first of the three-match T20I series begins today; fascinating contest on the cards if the home team’s top three batters find their rhythm

With Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel back in the mix, the Indian team will obviously expect more from the bowling unit over the six T20Is ahead of next month’s World Cup in Australia.

Before hosting South Africa for three T20s and three ODIs, India deals with World champion Australia. In the first of the three T20Is at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here on Tuesday, India will look to iron out bowling issues.

In Dubai, whether it was the T20 World Cup last year or the recent Asia Cup, India’s bowling disappointed. The absence of a potent sixth bowling option in the playing XI hurt the team’s prospects.

Amid all the talk of India’s large reserve of rising stars, the choice of soon-to-be 35 Umesh Yadav as a last-minute replacement for Mohammad Shami reflects otherwise.

Umesh’s T20I career figures are self-explanatory. Since his debut against Sri Lanka in August 2012, Umesh has played only seven matches for nine wickets.

By conceding 219 runs off 150 deliveries, his economy rate is a staggering 8.76. No wonder, Umesh last played in February 2019, against Australia.

Obviously, it would be unfair to expect magic from Umesh. With Bumrah and Harshal returning from injuries, Bhuvneshwar Kumar appearing ordinary in conditions that do not assist swing and Arshdeep Singh looking to add experience, India could find it tough to contain the Aussie batting line-up.