Ahead of the T20I series against Australia, Team India`s Suryakumar Yadav has expressed confidence in star all-rounder Shivam Dube`s abilities, by saying the burly cricketer is working hard on his bowling.
“He knows what the conditions are and how to bowl here. But he has been working really hard on his bowling. I showed him so much confidence that I made him bowl twice in the final of the Asia Cup because I knew it. I have played with him for 8-10 years. So I knew how good he was,” said the Indian skipper.
He also said that the 32-year-old cricketer`s preparations have been good and he is very clear with his plans.
“If your preparation is good, if you are practising well, if you have no doubt in your mind, then I think you are very clear with your plans and he is very clear with his plans,” Suryakumar added.
Suryakumar believes Shivam`s confidence will only grow with more opportunities against top opposition.
“If we get an opportunity tomorrow, then why not? It`s a good team. If you bowl against a good team, then your confidence will increase,” he said.
The first T20I match between Team India and Australia is scheduled to be played on Wednesday at the Manuka Oval. Ahead of the series, fans will keep a tab on Team India`s swashbuckling opening batsman, Abhishek Sharma. The left-hander enjoyed a stellar run in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025, following which he is expected to continue his rich vein of form.
On the other hand, Australia will miss the services of its star spinner, Adam Zampa, in the initial matches of the series. The spinner and his wife are expecting their second child.
IND vs AUS T20Is: Squads
India’s T20I squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.
Australia`s squad for the first two T20I matches against Team India: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Tanveer Sangha.
(With ANI Inputs)