New Delhi, Oct 28 (NationPress) Former assistant coach of India, Abhishek Nayar, emphasized the batting strength of the Men in Blue's top order and warned Australia about the tough challenge awaiting them in the upcoming five-match T20I series commencing Wednesday.

India’s leading trio consists of openers Abhishek Sharma (ranked No. 1 in T20Is), Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma (ranked No. 3 in T20Is). Additionally, India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, is also among the top 10 in T20I batting rankings.

“These Australian conditions could align perfectly with Abhishek Sharma’s playing style, as he performs exceptionally well on bouncy pitches and prefers playing close to the line. We’ve seen players like Travis Head excel due to the consistent bounce. Although he will encounter challenges from bowlers like Josh Hazlewood, known for delivering back-of-a-length balls, his IPL experience against such bowlers will be beneficial. While conditions are significant, his aggressive mindset can help him overcome them, especially during Powerplays where boundary sizes become insignificant. If he retains his attacking intent and continues playing close to the line, this could be an incredibly successful tour for him,” Nayar expressed on JioStar’s ‘Game Plan’.

“Tilak Varma has consistently impressed for India and the Mumbai Indians. His breakthrough came during the South Africa tour when Suryakumar Yadav elevated him to No. 3, where he showcased immense talent by scoring multiple hundreds and seizing the moment. His remarkable performance in the Asia Cup, particularly under pressure in a multi-nation tournament final against Pakistan, illustrates his growing maturity. As a left-handed batsman who adeptly handles spin and excels against pace with his powerful pull shots, he contributes vital balance to our batting lineup. Our entire top order thrives on bounce and horizontal bat shots, making this a dangerous team that Australia must approach with caution,” he added.

India’s squad will be strengthened by the return of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the series. The former Indian batter believes that Australian conditions will provide a fantastic opportunity for the seasoned speedster to mark his return in limited-overs cricket following the Asia Cup.

“I distinctly recall our experiences from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where Jasprit Bumrah has consistently showcased remarkable determination to excel in Australian conditions. Performing well there has a unique validation factor. It serves as a definitive stamp of approval for any cricketer, achieving success against world-class opposition in conditions vastly different from those in India. Regardless of prior accomplishments, Australia always poses that special challenge where players want to prove themselves,” Nayar commented.

“In the current T20I format, we are witnessing Bumrah assume a completely transformed role, bowling three overs in the initial Powerplay phase. This strategic alteration aligns with Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s focus on early breakthroughs and Coach Gautam Gambhir’s aggressive wicket-taking philosophy. The team management is clearly utilizing him in a distinct manner. This approach will be particularly intriguing to observe in Australian conditions, especially given their formidable batting depth in the lower order. It will be fascinating to see how his bowling responsibilities are managed, but I have no doubt that he is immensely motivated to achieve something exceptional on Australian soil.”