India vs Australia: 3 Things India need to do in the 1st T20I

#2 Hand a debut to Mayank Markande

Mayank Markande has impressed so far

India has been well stocked in the spin bowling department for the past couple of years. The spin twins, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have captured everyone’s imagination with their brand of bamboozling wrist-spin. However, India would be without the services of Kuldeep as the left-arm chinaman was given some time off by the selectors.

Thus, the obvious choice would be to play Chahal. Yet, the Indian team management needs to be brave and throw Mayank Markande into the mix. The lanky leg-spinner has been making waves in the domestic circuit with his accuracy earning him rave reviews.

In addition, the lad from Punjab has been in decent bowling touch and recently scalped five wickets in the unofficial Test against the England Lions at Mysore. Moreover, the Aussies have never been too comfortable against spin. Hence, the time is ripe to unleash the relatively unknown Markande against Australia.

Though the Indians have zeroed in on the spinners they intend to take to England for the mega tournament, there is no harm in trying out another alternative. After all, if Markande is indeed special, India wouldn’t mind another match-winning spinner in their ranks.