Cricket News: India look to plug holes before World Cup in T20 series

With their eyes firmly on getting the World Cup combination right, a spirited India will look to continue their dominance over Australia, this time at home, when they play the first Twenty20 International game. The seven-match tour comprising two T20Is and five ODIs will be India's last international assignment before the ICC World Cup which starts on May 30 in England and Wales. India won a historic Test and ODI series Down Under last month and Virat Kohli - back after a break to lead the side - and coach Ravi Shastri will look to get a few places sealed before the mega event. The likes of Rishabh Pant and all-rounder Vijay Shankar are aiming to make the final cut to the World Cup. While Pant edged out Dinesh Karthik in the ODI side, Shankar proved his mettle in New Zealand with some good displays with the bat. With Hardik Pandya out injured, it will be a great opportunity for Shankar to strenghthen his case while Pant will also look to make the most of the chances he gets. Coming to India's bowling department, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is back after a break. Bumrah is two shy of his personal tally of 50 wickets in T20I cricket, an achievement only in possession of Ravichandran Ashwin. All eyes will be on rookie leg-break bowler Mayank Markande who could make his debut in international cricket. But India could go in with the tested pair of Yuzvendra Chahal and Krunal Pandya, who have done reasonably well for the home team in recent times. The tourists led by Aaron Finch may not have played T20Is since their last series against India three months back, but they are fresh from their extended Big Bash League with six players, including the skipper, featuring in the all-Melbourne final on February 17.