Team India leaves for Australia to start preparations ahead of T20 World Cup 2022

The Indian national team departed for Australia on Thursday morning as the Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue eye for their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title. India last won the prestigious tournament back in 2007, which was also the inaugural season of the 20-over World Cup. Since then, India has not managed to win an ICC title in the T20 format.

India’s first game at the T20 World Cup is scheduled on October 23 against arch-rivals Pakistan. The team will compete in two practice matches prior to the Super 12 stage. Before their mega-clash against Pakistan, India will play Australia and New Zealand on October 17 and October 19, respectively.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a group photo of the Indian contingent, players and support staff, before they took off for Australia early on Thursday, October 6.

“Picture perfect. Let's do this #TeamIndia. @cricketworldcup, here we come," BCCI captioned the picture.

India's hunt for Jasprit Bumrah's replacement

Prior to the tournament, India dealt a severe blow when their lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the World Cup owing to his injury.  The 28-year-old joined the team during the recently concluded T20I series against Australia, after missing the Asia Cup. He was forced to withdraw from the South Africa home T20I series before the opening game, though.

Later, it was reported that Bumrah won't play the marquee event. The players who have been named in the reserves list are a part of the ongoing series against South Africa and will be participating in the three-match ODI series which begins on October 6.

Bumrah’s replacement is yet to be named by the Indian board, but it is being said that either Mohammed Shami or Deepak Chahar would take his place.

After the conclusion of the T20I series on Tuesday, October 4, which India won by 2-1, skipper Rohit Sharma said that the decision of selecting Bumrah’s replacement will be taken only after reading the Australian pitches which will be possible after the to practice games, one each against Australia and New Zealand.

"Only 7,8 members of the squad have been to Australia, so we have organised a few practise games. We need to understand what combination we can play. Bumrah is out of the World Cup, so we need to find a bowler who has experience of bowling in Australia. Not sure who that bowler is going to be, we will see once we travel to Australia, we'll find it out there," said Sharma.