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3rd T20I: Will MS Dhoni test the bench strength or go with winning combination in Sydney?

Sydney, Jan 30: Team India has already taken an unassailable lead against Australia in the ongoing bilateral Twenty20 series and Men In Blue, under the leadership of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, would be hoping to create history with their first ever clean sweep against Australia in Australia.

Ind-Aus series photo gallery

MSD, already India's greatest limited overs captain, can add one more feather to his cap if he leads the team to victory against Australia in the 3rd and final Twenty20 International at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) tomorrow.

Will MS Dhoni test the bench strength?


But, it will be interesting to see what team combination the skipper comes up with in the final game.

Will Dhoni test the bench strength in Sydney?

If it was the top order that has delivered for Team India, in both the matches, but the entire middle order hasn't yet got a chance to test its batting skill so far.

<strong>(3rd T20I: History beckons MS Dhoni and Team India in Sydney)</strong>(3rd T20I: History beckons MS Dhoni and Team India in Sydney)

The team still has the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, who haven't even lifted their bats. Even the centurion of the final ODI game between India and Australia, Manish Pandey, is also warming the benches so far.

Suresh Raina, Team India's T20 specialist, is still searching his form to get into the T20 mode before the World T20. (Dhoni sets world record)

Though his knock of 41 runs in the first game at Adelaide Oval and the crucial partnership with Virat Kohli definitely brought some relief for the skipper. But the left-handed batter has still not regained the old touch.

Team India's success in the upcoming World T20 in India, in March, depends highly over performance of its middle and lower middle order because its just a matter of time when the top order fails to deliver, then the responsibility will shift over the shoulders of the middle order.

Therefore, it will be interesting to see if skipper Dhoni and team management decides to go with the winning combination or gives the bench-strength a chance?

Even bowling department hasn't been tested

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has also been given a place in the T20 squad, but so far he too has been warming the benches. Thus, it will be worth watching if the Turbanator gets a place in the playing XI and frees his arms in Sydney.

Team India's frontline bowler, R Ashwin has regained his touch in the previous two games. Also, his form over Indian pitches hasn't been a concern for the skipper. Hence it will be worth watching if Dhoni rests him in Sunday's game.

Even Australia is depleted, which is without regular captain Aaron Finch (injury), Steve Smith, David Warner, John Hastings, Kane Richardson, Matthew Wade. The last 5 players missing as they left today (January 30) for New Zealand tour.

Thus, testing the bench strength and giving new faces a chance, is actually, not going to be a harmful one for Men In Blue.

OneIndia News

Story first published: Thursday, August 3, 2017, 7:29 [IST]
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