India kick off World T20 build-up

Adelaide, January 27
Outplayed in the ODIs, a faltering India will look to get the balance right as they eye redemption in a three-match T20 series against Australia, starting here tomorrow. The series also kicks off their build-up for the World T20 in March-April.
India were comprehensively beaten in the ODIs, losing the series 1-4. The T20s would, therefore, be an opportunity for the side to pick some positives from the rather disappointing tour so far.
Despite being a home to the IPL, the money-spinning T20 league, India don’t play too many T20 Internationals. Since the addition of the format to the international schedule in 2006, they have only played 57 games, with 28 of them across five World T20 events in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014.
Since December 2006, when they played their first T20I, against South Africa, India have featured in only 29 bilateral matches. And their record outside the World T20 isn’t particularly impressive — they have lost 15 and won 14 win.
The record won’t really play much on their mind, but the conditions definitely will. The just-concluded Big Bash League has been a high-scoring affair, much like the ODI series in the first leg of this trip. The pitches are expected to be flat, with ample bounce for the batsmen to make merry.
The conditions here won’t allow either side to judge their spin options for the World T20, but they will be busy evaluating different permutations and combinations.
For India, it will be about getting their balance right, both in batting and bowling.
We will play fearless cricket: Raina
India will challenge Australia with some fearless cricket in the T20Is, said Suresh Raina here today. “We intend to play fearless cricket. The ODI series is gone now, this is a fresh beginning. We have to look to be dominating and be positive in our approach. We will do well,” said Raina.
“Australia know that the win in the last game has given us some momentum going into the T20Is. They will come hard at us but we are ready too,” said Raina.
Raina joined the side for the T20Is, with Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra and the young Hardik Pandya. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane has been ruled out of the T20Is as his hand injury has not fully healed.