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.

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#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.

#2 Rishabh Pant opening the batting

Rishabh Pant can be India's Sanath Jayasuriya

Though Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are in good form, they both are slow starters. India's average 1st power-play score hovers around 45 even on a placid wicket. The catch-22 situation here is, there are certain grounds in England when even a score of 350 is easily chasable.

India needs to have an opener who can attack the opposition right from the word go and help India score close to 75 in the power-play overs. England's ODI success is predominantly because of their attacking top-order trio, Bairstow, Roy, Hales, who don't take much time to kick-start their campaign. India should try a similar approach by having Pant as an opening option.

Even the Cricketing legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Shane Warne believe that Rishabh Pant can be a great opening option for the Indian Cricket Team. Shane Warne said in an interview,

“There has been talk if Rishabh Pant can play in the side. I think Dhoni and Pant both can play. Maybe even open the batting with Rohit Sharma. I know Shikhar Dhawan does a great job but Rishabh Pant opening the batting with Rohit Sharma could be pretty cool too for India. Go with some of these X-factor type things and tactical battles, where you surprise the opposition.”

#3 Giving one final chance for KL Rahul in the top order before World Cup

One final chance for Rahul before finalizing the World Cup squad

India should take a final call whether KL Rahul is in their ODI scheme of things. The Karnataka opening batsman must be given a continuous run in both the games irrespective of his performance.

India cannot afford to have an out-of-form player in their World Cup ODI squad hoping he will come back to form at the right time. The best strategy should be to take a call at the end of the T20I series on Rahul's immediate future in the ODI squad.

In order to take a call, one of the opening trio, Rohit, Dhawan, Kohli, should be rested in each of the two games. Asking Rahul to bat at the 4th slot or 5th slot will not do any good for the men in blue as it's not his natural position.

Who among the top-order trio is going to sacrifice their position to try out Rahul in the top-order?