Australia’s T20 travails set to prolong
Steve Smith’s side will have to overcome its poor record and form against India
Australia’s nightmare in India continues. After losing the ODI series 4-1, Steve Smith’s side get ready to face India in the three-match Twenty20 International series starting on October 7 in Ranchi. After the last ODI in Nagpur on Sunday, in which India thrashed Australia by seven wickets, Steve Smith said, “We got to try and keep a positive frame of mind. We’d like to go home with a trophy.”
This statement by the Australian cricket team captain is more out of hope than conviction. Australia’s Twenty20 International record against India is abysmal, which is surprising when one looks at the amount of cricket Australians play in the Indian Premier League. DESTROYED IN INDIA Australia have not enjoyed great success in Twenty20 Internationals. Out of 93 games, they have won 47 and lost 43 with two games lost in the Super Over. However, their record against India reads for particularly poor reading. In 13 matches between the two sides, Australia have lost nine and won only four. In India it is 0-3, Australia having lost all their encounters in 2007, 2013 and 2016.
Heading into this series, Australia have lost six consecutive games against India. Kohli’s side inflicted a 3-0 whitewash to Australia in their den in 2016, the first time Smith’s side were blanked at home. With the team low on confidence, Australia will find it really hard to end their T20I reverses in India.
David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner and Nathan Coulter-Nile have lot of experience of Indian conditions thanks to the Indian Premier League. Warner has been part of the tournament for eight years. Faulkner was a regular while Maxwell has dazzled with his bighitting. Coulter-Nile has been a vital cog for KKR.
Warner has over 4000 runs at an average of 40. Faulkner has two five-wicket hauls while Maxwell has a strike-rate of 164. However, when it comes to international performances, they have struggled. In five games against India, Faulkner has just two wickets at an economy rate of 10.32. Coulter-Nile has two wickets at an average of 88. Maxwell averages just 27 while Warner’s average is just 9.5.
Warner had said Australia’s failures in India despite IPL experience was no excuse. “When you keep coming back, there are no excuses. You should know the conditions as a senior player,” he lamented. This discrepancy in the performances of Australia players when it comes to IPL and internationals has been a major problem.
Virat Kohli has scores of 90*, 59*, 50 and 82* in his last four matches against Australia. Each time, Kohli has taken the game away, inflicting big damage on Australia. His ruthless streak in this format has been the prime factor behind India winning 17 out of 23 T20Is in the last one year.
Kohli’s aggression will again be the driving force for India as they seek to continue their dominance. For Australia, it will take a lot to reverse their losing trend.