AUS vs IND – Five cricketers who can turn out to be a surprise package

The India vs Australia series is a whisker away. It promises to be a hard-fought and competitive series where neither team is bound to concede an inch. With both the teams full of superstars, here are 5 players who could spring a surprise. They are the players to watch out for.

5. Cameron Green

Australian legend Greg Chappell has said, Cameron Green is the best young batsman he has seen since Ricky Ponting. Such a statement cannot be made in thin air. A lot of excitement has been built up for this 21-year all-rounder. And it is not without reason. Cameron Green has been doing exceedingly well in this year’s Sheffield Shield. He has had a dream 2020 season, scoring 363 runs in 4 games, at an average of 72.60 with 2 50s and a stunning 197 against the mighty New South Wales. He has been picked in the limited-overs as well as the Test squad. He is bound to add the extra balance to the Australian team. He will not only add more meat to Australia’s batting but if he is fit enough to bowl, he will also provide a valuable bowling option who can deliver thunderbolts at 140km/hr. He could end up being the find of the series.

4. Shubman Gill

Perhaps the most promising youngster in India, Gill is touted to be a future superstar. Ever since he came into the limelight a couple of years ago in the 2018 U-19 World Cup, Gill has looked India material. He possesses a strong technique and has a calm head over his shoulders as He has a stunning domestic record. While he has done well in list A cricket scoring 2303 runs at an average of 45.2, it is in first-class cricket, where he has proven to be a class apart. In 21 matches Gill has plundered 2133 runs at an average of 73.5 with as many as 7 100s and 10 50s. With Indian skipper Virat Kohli missing out on 3 of the 4 Tests, it could be Gill’s turn to shine. While mighty Aussies’ bowling attack won’t be easy to tackle, Gill has shown he possesses the skills to come out on top.

3. T Natarajan

“T Natarajan will be the X-factor for Indian team in the Upcoming T20 World Cup 2021 with been a Left-arm and good in death Overs. And it is great to see the likes of M Shami and Navdeep Saini bowl with such confidence in the death.”

– VVS Laxman pic.twitter.com/EVSCVdp3gY

— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) November 18, 2020

Despite some stunning performances from a number of players, one player who truly lit up the IPL, was T Natarajan. He bowled Yorkers at will and outbowled the best talent in the tournament in that aspect. He bowled close to 70 Yorkers, almost 3 times more than what anybody else did.

With Varun Chakravarthy’s injury, Natarajan was drafted into India’s T20I squad. Natarajan isn’t a world-class bowler yet. He still has a lot to improve upon. However, his 16 wickets and overall calmness he maintained in the tournament are proof of the fact that he has it in him. With strike bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed  Shami set to be rotated in the limited-overs series, Natarajan could end up getting to play at least 2 T20 games and could prove to be a game-changer.

2. Will Pucvoski

Will Pucovski has been one of the most consistent batsmen in Sheffield Shield, Australia’s first-class competition. In 22 matches since 2017, Will has scored 1720 runs at an outstanding average of 55.5 along with 6 50s and 5 tons. This year he has looked extraordinarily threatening. He has batted for long periods of time and has scored as many as 495 runs, with 2 consecutive double 100s and is the highest run-getter despite playing only 3 innings. He has battled mental health problems and even took a short sabbatical from the game. But ever since he has returned, he has looked extra determined and if he gets his eye in against the India bowlers, he has the patience and the skills to really become a thorn in their path

1. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is easily among the best white ball players in the world. But despite excelling in white-ball cricket, he hasn’t been able to leave a mark on Test cricket. That can be attributed to unfortunate injuries as well as recurring periods of inconsistency. However, Sharma got perhaps the last lease of life in Tests last year where he was promoted to open the innings. And the dividends were handsome. He scored more than 500 runs in 3 match series against South Africa in a home series. With Australia being the first overseas tour where Rohit will open, it could be a make or break series for him. He is coming off an injury, but it is likely that with the pace and bounce in Australia which Rohit enjoys, this could be his series.