Published: Nov 20, 2018, 03:15 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 20, 2018, 03:15 PM (IST)
Australia have rested their frontline bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins for the three-match T20I series against India starting from Wednesday. They have brought in T20 specialists of the likes of Andrew Tye and Jason Behrendorff.
However, former India international Murali Kartik is surprised that the hosts gave rest to their key players saying doing that gives India an upperhand. Australia are already without the services of their premier batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith who are currently in the midst of 12-month ball-tampering bans.
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“It’s a bit surprising to see Australia rest some of their key players,” Kartik told ESPNcricinfo. “I can understand if they are tired or injury prone but I always believe that if you have not reached the base of the Mt. Everest and you are thinking of eclipsing it, then you need to have the best players at least at the start of the series. From that point of view India start favourites. With the likes of Smith and Warner missing, it gives the upperhand to India.”
Under Aaron Finch, Australia have lost five of their last six T20Is with their sole win coming against UAE.
Former Australia pacer Shaun Tait also advocated for fielding of best side when playing against top teams. “Especially when you are playing teams like India. If you are playing the best teams in the world, no matter what the format is, you need to play your best team,” Tait said.
He continued, “Having said that, the bowlers they’ve got are pretty good. It’s not Starc or Cummins but they have still got decent T20 bowlers which, hopefully, is their saving grace. But I do tend to agree that when you are playing big tournaments, you should field your best side.”
Australia’s poor form has been due to regular batting collapses. Tait, who has played three Tests, 35 ODIs and 21 T20Is, felt senior players need to take a cue from Indian batsmen and carry the team.
“If you look at the Indian side, you’ve got [Rohit] Sharma and [Virat] Kohli who take it upon themselves to carry the side at certain times. Chris Lynn has been around there for a while. He has smashed attacks in the Big Bash League and IPL. He will be looking to stand up in the international scene. Finch as well. Probably put Maxwell in that category too – a guy who has been around enough now, played against India, played in the IPL. So those three guys need to carry the side,” the 35-year-old said.
