India-Australia T20 series begins today

MOHALI, Sept 19 (IANS): The Indian cricket team will continue their search for an ideal playing XI before the all-important Men's T20 World Cup when they take on a well-balanced Australian side in the first T20 of the three-match series at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, here tomorrow.
India's lacklustre campaign at the recently concluded Asia Cup 2022 had raised some serious questions but the selectors have picked up almost the same squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia.
The continuity of similar faces shows that skipper Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid and selectors have not pressed the panic button yet and trusting the boys to come good in upcoming matches.
However, the team management will still look to fix some issues and try out a few more things in order to finalise their best possible eleven.
As far as the batting is concerned, the top four consisting of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav pick themselves up automatically, and Hardik Pandya with his valuable all-round ability, is also a sure-shot starter.
Meanwhile, the Aaron Finch-led Australia will miss the services of Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Marsh for the entire three-match T20I series in India.
Starc (knee), Marsh (ankle) and Stoinis (side) will all stay home due to their 'minor' injuries, alongside David Warner who had been already rested from making the trip.
Despite missing their key players, T20 World Cup defending champions Australia have a well-balanced squad. The five specialist batsmen, five all-rounders and five specialist bowlers have the look of a balanced and winner side.