3 Players India missed the most in the first T20I

India lost the first T20I against Australia by a narrow margin of 4 runs. Shikhar Dhawan broke a world record but that still wasn't enough for the visitors as the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. Though India made a lot of tactical errors in that match, they missed 3 players the most. Besides, they also missed Dhoni's tactical acumen.

The 3 players that Team India missed at Brisbane are from three different categories. While one player is in the squad, the other is not even in the squad while the third one is on the injury list.

Here are the 3 players India missed the most in the first T20I against Australia:

1. Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal has been a wicket-taking option for India in the middle overs. He has bowled exceptionally well in tandem with Kuldeep Yadav. Besides, Chahal could be used in the powerplay too that would allow Kohli to keep some of the overs of Bhuvi and Bumrah in reserve for the middle overs against a player like Maxwell.

Chahal himself has been successful against Maxwell in the past. In his last 10 T20 matches, Chahal has conceded a maximum of 38 runs in his 4 over spells and claimed 15 wickets. He was both effective and economical.

Compared to Chahal, Krunal Pandya has taken just 1 wicket in his 4 match T20I career. Again, at the crunch, Krunal Pandya failed to justify his claim as a batsman.

At Brisbane, Chahal could have played in place of Krunal Pandya.

2. Suresh Raina

India missed Raina's experience with the bat and his bowling skills

Suresh Raina has always been a match-winner for India in T20 matches. Raina is a player who the opposition is wary of in the shortest version of the game. His experience and record show that he is definitely a better option than KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, and Shreyas Iyer. In his last 10 T20 innings for India, Raina has scored 283 runs.

Raina is more suited at No 4 than KL Rahul or Manish Pandey. With his attacking mode of batting from ball one, Raina can sustain the momentum right through the innings. Once settled, Raina can be a dangerous finisher.

Suresh Raina could also be the missing sixth bowling option for India. At Brisbane, in the absence of a player like Raina, Kohli had to continue with both Khaleel Ahmed and Krunal Pandya despite the pounding they got at the hands of Lynn, Maxwell, and Stoinis.

Suresh Raina is a better fielder than KL Rahul, who missed an easy run-out of Maxwell, which proved costly for India. Raina is a live-wire in the field and with his fielding efforts, Raina brings a lot of energy to the team.

Four spinners on a tour of Australia is one too many. Raina could have been selected in place of Washington Sundar in the squad and in place of Rahul in the playing XI.

3. Hardik Pandya

India sorely missed Hardik Pandya due to injury

India missed Hardik Pandya the most at Brisbane due to injury. He is the only fast bowling all-rounder for India in the present team. Hardik is the ideal T20 player for India on overseas tours. Pandya can clock 140 kmph and can bowl with the new ball which would give Kohli the much-needed flexibility in rotating his bowling resources. Though at times expensive, he manages to give crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs.

The all-rounder is a clean hitter of the ball and packs a punch in his shots. At the Gabba, he could have been more effective against Adam Zampa. With 24 needed off 12 balls, Hardik Pandya might have finished off India’s chase successfully. In the end, it was left to Dinesh Karthik to do it all by himself and he for once couldn’t absorb the pressure and come up trumps.

The presence of Hardik Pandya in the playing XI would give India the much-needed balance in their team composition. A fit Hardik Pandya in place of Khaleel Ahmed could have made all the difference to India’s fortunes at Brisbane.