Experience of Yuvraj, Nehra, Harbhajan might play big role in turning things around and solving combination issue for India as T20 series begins today
This is where the most important part of the series begins. The ODIs, though played competitively, wasn't really relevant in the larger scheme of things. It is the shortest format that both teams will be eyeing to conquer given that the ICC World T20 is less than two months away.
For India, the first of the three-match T20I series starting in Adelaide on Tuesday is an ideal opportunity to solve their perennial combination conundrum. With a 1-4 series loss in the ODIs, the influx of new faces might just be the tonic that Dhoni & Co need to revive themselves Down Under.
There are three new – well old, actually – faces that will generate maximum curiosity among fans back home in India. Yuvraj Singh last played for India in a T20I in April 2014, a match in which he took 21 balls to make 11 runs as India lost the World T20 final to Sri Lanka. The southpaw will, thus, eye redemption, and going by his statements leading up to the tour, he looks hungry to make runs and get into the World T20 team.
Ashish Nehra's last outing in India colours goes way back further, the semifinal of the 2011 World Cup against Pakistan. His selection raised many an eyebrow, but with the way things are going for the bowling unit currently, the left-arm pacer's experience and guile should add a lot more control and variety to the insipid attack.
The third name, Harbhajan Singh, has been in the mix of things. He played the T20I as well as ODI series at home against South Africa last year, but was dropped from the 50-overs format for the Australian tour. The off-spinner will thus have a point to prove, and with the team management seeming to lose a bit of faith in Ravichandran Ashwin, it will be interesting to see if the senior pro gets the nod straightaway.
The other T20 specialists include Suresh Raina, who was axed from the ODI squad, promising Baroda all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, who impressed everyone with his lucky break in the final ODI in Sydney. It is likely that Bumrah will make the cut, given how much skipper Dhoni praised his ability of bowling at the death. It also won't be a surprise if Pandya gets drafted into the scheme of things straightaway.
The importance of this T20I series wasn't lost on India team director Ravi Shastri on the eve of the first game.
"I think every game from here on till the World T20 will be extremely important," Shastri said on Monday. "It gives you a chance to try different players and see what combination works best for you."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Yuvraj, Nehra, Harbhajan")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}