Another wake-up call for the Australians!

Australian team lost their Twenty20 International match against India at Rajkot – a fast growing industrial city in the India’s state of Gujarat. Australia scored 201 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Aaron Finch played another aggressive knock of 89 in only 52 balls. Chasing 202 to win, India achieved the target with two balls to spare. India’s six wickets win was highlighted by a thumping comeback inning by Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj hit 77 off only 35 balls with the help of eight boundaries and five massive sixes.

Luck was also on India’s side as Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won a very important toss. Day and night matches in India’s western and northern cities favor heavily to the team batting second due to all important dew factor. By winning the toss, chase became easier under wet conditions in the night. 

Yuvraj Singh was on sidelines since last 10 months as he was asked to confirm his full fitness. Following a successful training program in France, Yuvraj Singh – explosive left-handed Indian batsman – made yet another comeback in the national side with a bang. He thrashed Australian bowlers on all sides of the wicket for his mighty sixes and powerful boundaries. Dew factor was an additional advantage for him as Australian bowlers were unable to get ball movement in wet conditions. His unbeaten 102 runs partnership for the fifth wicket with his team skipper sealed an easy win for India.

Yuvraj singh’s inning elevated his Twenty20 International career’s strike rate by five points from 148 to 153. His unbeaten 77 was his career-best in 34 matches. His aggregate in this format of cricket is now 868 runs at an average of 33.38 with a strike rate exceeding 153 and has hit seven half centuries. Yuvraj Singh has hit 53 fours and 59 sixes in 34 Twenty20 Internationals so far. 

India has been consistent in winning matches in Twenty20 International cricket in recent years. India is now placed third in ICC Twenty20 International ranking. With 123 points, India is only two points behind second ranked Pakistan (125 points) and five points separate India from highest ranked team Sri Lanka (128 points).

Australia is far behind in the ICC Twenty20 International rankings. Australia is now jointly ranked seventh with New Zealand. The two countries across the Tasman Sea have only 102 points each. These two are almost at the bottom among regular established cricket playing countries. Only Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and minnows of cricket are behind Australia and New Zealand. 

The best team happened to Australian Twenty20 International team in recent past is arrival of Aaron Finch. He blasted world record 156 against England at Southampton only two months ago and his blistering knock at Rajkot are a big relief for the Australian team. But this is not enough. Australia has not won many Twenty20 Internationals in recent past.

Australia needs to re-strategize to come up with the standard called as Australian standard. Cricket fans in all parts of the world expect Australian team to deliver much better results what they are doing now. Wake up Australian Think Tanks. Rajkot’s match was another wake-up call.