Aussie Test starts in Covid 19 Times

So at last after a gap of around nine months real International Cricket returns with India Vs Australia series down under. With never before havoc created by tiny invisible virus, which is still looming large over most of the world. Both countries cricket control boards have found a way to conduct these matches. Almost two month long tour would comprise of 3 ODIs to start with followed by 3 T20s and 4 Tests. Teams would be in bio-bubble throughout this period, with almost all the players finding it bit difficult to get adjusted with.

Temptation to continue to play for franchise cricket has already cost the most valuable player in ODIs in the form of injured Rohit Sharma and even his availability for the test matches later is still unclear. This is a very big blow for India as the Australia is in full strength waiting for India with both Warner and Smith are already back in the team, unlike last Team India`s tour there 2 years back when both were undergoing ICC suspension. India had clinched the chance with winning the Test series 2-1 for the first time on Australian soil.

Tour would start on  Friday 27^th November with one day international at Sidney Cricket Ground. Though most of the players of the squad were playing in IPL, ODI verses Aussies in their own backyard is going to be altogether different cup of tea. With lack of any other cricket matches due to pandemic, Team India may feel bit rusty to start with. So past records hardly matter here, though India had an edge over this most competitive rival last time. As Virat and boys would be playing after a long gap, with lack of much of a match practice.

It would be interesting to see if India goes with young inform Shubman Gill with regular Shikhar Dhavan at top or opts for experienced test opener Mayank Agarwal.Shreayas Iyer Maneesh Pandey would need to support Virat Kohli to set a big total or chase one as the case may be. With Rishbh Pant not making to this squad tour vice-captain K L Rahul would be keeping wickets and likely to bat at no.5.

In pace bowling with Bumrah and Shami it would be interesting to see who gets the chance as a third seamer between Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur. It would be interesting to see if Hardik Pandya is back to his full fitness to act as a fifth bowler with being able to bowl his full quota of ten overs with full steam. In spin bowling with Ravidra Jadja as certainty , Virat would be facing a difficult task to choose between Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Cricket Lovers are hoping for a cracking battle between the world`s two best teams. After such a long gap of International Cricket- which is very rare since more than a decade almost , as international cricket calendar is always full - Sydney Cricket Ground to be filled to 50% capacity, with observing all standard corona prevention norms. So over to Friday morning for the first day-nighter – let us sit back and enjoy and try to forget the misery so far this year.