STATS PREVIEW
Follow UsThe series between India and Australia is a contest between two unbeaten teams (bilateral only). Post the 2021 WC, Australia have played three bilateral series and have won all three. On the other hand, India in their seven, have won six and drawn one.
The first T20I is set to be played in Mohali, the second in Nagpur, with Hyderabad to host the third. Here is a statistical preview for the T20I series:
India’s advantage over Australia
The last time Australia toured India for a bilateral T20I series was in 2019. It turned out to be a fruitful one as the visitors won 2-1. Despite the series win, Australia’s overall record against India hasn’t been an encouraging one.
In T20Is, Australia have played 23 matches against India. In those 23, they have won only nine matches with a win/loss ratio of 0.692. This is their worst win/loss ratio against any team in T20Is. On the brighter side, Australia’s four out of nine wins against India (in Asia) have come at a win/loss ratio of 0.8.
Australia, one among two to beat India at home
Winning a series against India at home is one of the toughest tasks. India have played 20 bilateral series consisting of two or more matches. In those 20, India have won 12 and drawn 6. The fortress has been breached only twice.
The first team to beat India in a series at home was South Africa in 2015, when they won 2-0 (the first match was abandoned). The other team to achieve this rare feat was none other than Australia in 2019.
Rohit’s amazing numbers as captain at home
Rohit Sharma has been one of the most successful captains not only for India, but across the world. His win/loss ratio of 3.875 in 39 T20Is being the second-best ratio for a captain who has led in 20+ matches, is a testimony of it.
In home conditions, the record is even better, to be precise, unmatchable. Under his captaincy, India have won 17 of the 18 matches. No other captains have more wins than Rohit. Among captains who have led in 10 or more home matches, his win/loss ratio of 17.0 is unparalleled. In fact, no other captain has a ratio of over 10. To elaborate more, under his captaincy, India have white-washed their opponents in five out of the six home series.
India in search of record wins in calendar year
Despite their early exit in the 2022 edition of the Asia Cup, it has been a fruitful year for India in terms of the number of wins. In 26 matches, they have had 19 wins at a win/loss ratio of 3.166. Those 19 wins are the most for India in a calendar year. Playing in home conditions, India have won eight of their 11, which is presently the joint most T20I wins for India in a calendar year at home. Overall, only Zimbabwe in 2022, have more wins (9) in a calendar year at home.
Irrespective of home, away, or neutral, India’s 19 wins are the second most for a team in a calendar year. They need two more wins to record the most wins. Pakistan in 2021, had 20 wins in 29 matches, which are the most till date.
Maxwell’s stunning record in Asia and against India, a key factor
For a non-Asian batter, to excel in the subcontinent conditions is one of the most difficult tasks. But Glenn Maxwell thrives in these conditions and has aced it more than often in T20Is.
In Asia, Maxwell has scored over 900 runs at an average of 35.03 and strikes at 156.3, his best numbers across all continents. Among 157 batters who have played 20+ innings in Asian conditions, Maxwell is one among the two to have an average of 35+ and strike at 145+.
That isn’t it, playing in India, Maxwell has scored 300+ runs in eight innings at an average of 46 and a strike rate of 152.6. Among batters who have scored 300+ runs in India, Virat Kohli (56.8 Avg and 150.1 SR) and Maxwell are the only two batters to average 45+ and strike at 145+. Overall, Maxwell has scored 431 runs against India. Only Aaron Finch has more runs than him (440).
Finch’s dip against India
Though Finch is the highest run scorer in T20Is against India, his form in the last few games against them hasn’t been great.
Out of the 440 runs he has scored against India, 334 runs came in his first seven innings at an average of 47.7 and a strike rate of 144.6. However, in his last eight innings, Finch has scored only 106 runs at an average of 13.25 and a strike rate of 115.2. Both of his 50+ scores came in his first seven matches. In his last eight innings, he has had eight single-digit scores out of which, three have been ducks.
Spin Test awaits Australia
In T20Is since 2021, Australian batters have lost a wicket every 17.1 balls and 20.1 runs against the spinners. Among the top 10 ranked teams, only West Indies’ balls/wicket ratio has been poorer (16.9). In the middle overs (7-15) phase where spinners operate in plenty, Australia have lost a wicket every 16.9 balls, the worst among the top 10 ranked teams.
Australia’s high’s and low’s in last five overs
In the year 2022, Australia’s record with bat and ball in the last five overs has been in contrast. With the ball in hand, Australian bowlers have been extremely good. In nine matches, they have conceded at an economy of 8.8 and have picked up a wicket every 8.1 balls and 11.9 runs, which is the best among all teams (top 10 ranked).
On the flip side, their batting has been dreadful. Their batters in this phase have scored at a run rate of 9.1, the lowest among all teams. To add more, they have hit a boundary every 5.5 balls and only 54.5 percent of their runs have been through boundaries. Only Bangladesh have been worse in both aspects in this phase (6.4 balls/boundary and 45.7 percent boundaries). However, the inclusion of Tim David could improve Australia in this department.
MATCH-UPS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Rohit vs Zampa in T20s: Innings – 2 | Runs – 2 | Dismissals – 2 | Average – 1.0 | Strike rate – 22.2
Kohli vs Zampa in T20s: Innings – 10 | Runs – 98 | Dismissals – 2 | Average – 49 | Strike rate – 136.1
Rahul vs Zampa in T20s: Innings – 6 | Runs – 46 | Dismissals – 2 | Average – 23 | Strike rate – 109.5
R Pant vs Zampa in T20s: Innings – 5 | Runs – 27 | Dismissals – 2 | Average – 13.5 | Strike rate – 122.7
Hardik vs Zampa in T20s: Innings – 8 | Runs – 37 | Dismissals – 2 | Average – 18.5 | Strike rate – 132.1
Rahul vs Maxwell in T20s: Innings – 5 | Runs – 23 | Dismissals – 2 | Average – 11.5 | Strike rate – 100
Pant vs Maxwell in T20s: Innings – 3 | Runs – 11 | Dismissals – 2 | Average – 5.5 | Strike rate – 91.7
Kohli vs Hazlewood in T20s: Innings – 3 | Runs – 38 | Dismissals – 0 | Strike rate – 152
Rahul vs Hazlewood in T20s: Innings – 4 | Runs – 46 | Dismissals – 1 | Average – 46 | Strike rate – 143.8
Finch vs Bhuvneshwar in T20s: Innings – 13 | Runs – 52 | Dismissals – 3 | Average – 17.3| Strike rate – 91.2
Maxwell vs Chahal in T20s: Innings – 13 | Runs – 132 | Dismissals – 5 | Average – 26.4 | Strike rate – 178.4
Maxwell vs Bumrah in T20s: Innings – 15 | Runs – 75 | Dismissals – 7 | Average – 10.7 | Strike rate – 115.4
