Outplayed in the four-day games, a new-look India A will have to play out of their skins to stop a rampaging Australia A when they clash in a tri-series One-day cricket match, here on Friday.
Australia A have been dominant on this tour so far as they humbled the hosts in the unofficial two-match Test series and hammered South African by 10 wickets in the tri-series opener on Wednesday.
The series is an opportunity for players like Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Sanju Samson, Karun Nair and Karn Sharma to impress the selectors and stake their claim in the national side.
Top-order batsman Karun Nair, from Karnataka, is the lone player who was part of the squad in the two-Test series that concluded last week. The Indian pace attack would revolve around Sandeep Sharma, Rush Kalaria, Rishi Dhawan and Dhawal Kulkarni but the Chennai wickets are on the slower side and look spin-friendly.
The Australians have more or less mastered the conditions. They have proved themselves in both bowling and batting. Especially, captain Usman Khawaja's planning and strategies have worked wonders so far.
Skipper Unmukt Chand, who led India to under-19 World Cup win in 2012, is optimistic about the team's chances.
"The team has good balance. We have some excellent batsmen and brilliant bowlers, especially in the pace department. I had played with the team members — other current India-A team members were part of the last edition in Australia and I enjoy a good rapport with them and I am sure that will be helpful to me in the tri series," he said.
Unmukt hints at fielding three spinners
India 'A' skipper Unmukt Chand on Thursday hinted that the team management may field three spinners here on a turning track for Friday's tri-series One-day cricket match against Australia 'A'.
"Yes, we might (field three spinners) as you know the ball is turning a bit. Moreover, these wickets have been used for the four-day games and also on Wednesday. The wicket seems to be dry," Unmukt said.
"We may go with a couple of spinners and we have a good blend of seamers as well. We plan to mix it up," he added.
On whether he would like to use Sanju Samson as a top order batsman or as a finisher in the match on Friday, Unmukt said: "It depends on the team strategy. Sanju has really done well in the top order. So, that we will see tomorrow but of course he will be keeping the wicket on Friday. Everyone in the team is perfectly fine and fit."