Australia v India, 2015-16

One-day internationals (5): Australia 4, India 1
Twenty20 internationals (3): Australia 0, India 3

In the build-up to the World Twenty20, it was difficult to see the value of the 50-over component of an Indian tour tacked on to the end of a summer of Tests, seemingly in order to fulfill broadcasting requirements. Finding relevance for bilateral series remains one of cricket's great challenges. In the first year of a new World Cup cycle, one-day results and rankings can sit on the back burner, while the Twenty20 ladder is shaken up at a dizzying rate: India were eighth at the start of the series, but three victories took them top.

For Australia, the tour was not ideally timed. The Test Championship mace was within reach, provided they successfully negotiated the imminent two match series in New Zealand, and the need to rest players and prepare for conditions across the Tasman made for a difficult balancing act. For India, it was more straightforward. With no upcoming Test cricket, they could focus on the white-ball formats, and allow their players to settle and find form for the World Twenty20 at home: their 20-over side remained unchanged.

In contrast, Australia's T20 campaign felt like an extended audition, with 19 players tried in the three games. The only reasonable conclusion was that the hosts considered preparation for the World Twenty20 more important than beating India. The first T20 international also raised wider questions about how seriously the format is treated in Australia. Steve Smith was miked up for Channel Nine's coverage while at the crease, and was being interviewed by commentators in the over of his dismissal, though he was not speaking in the lead-up to the ball that got him. He was given a pointed send-off by Virat Kohli, who mimicked the chatter. And, while Smith didn't blame the broadcasters, his wicket sparked an Australian collapse.

This came a few days after Spidercam got in the way of a Kohli shot that was heading for the boundary - it became a dead ball instead of a four. It all led to suggestions the scales were sliding too far towards gimmickry as broadcasters looked for new ways to bring viewers closer to the action. In terms of ratings and attendances, the tour was a bonanza for Cricket Australia. But, although bragging rights for the two series were split between the two countries, the tourists probably got more out of the matches.

India did lose a high-scoring one-day series in which five Australians and four Indians made centuries, but they finished the Twenty20s in excellent form and, importantly, with a settled side. Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who both hit two hundreds during the 50-over matches, deservedly collected the series awards. Australia were still dreaming of claiming top spot in all three rankings. But, while this tour confirmed their 50-over credentials, it exposed their muddled preparations for a tilt at the Twenty20 crown.

Match reports for

Tour Match: Western Australia XI v Indians at Perth, Jan 8, 2016
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Tour Match: Western Australia XI v Indians at Perth, Jan 9, 2016
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1st ODI: Australia v India at Perth, Jan 12, 2016
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2nd ODI: Australia v India at Brisbane, Jan 15, 2016
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3rd ODI: Australia v India at Melbourne, Jan 17, 2016
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4th ODI: Australia v India at Canberra, Jan 20, 2016
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5th ODI: Australia v India at Sydney, Jan 23, 2016
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1st T20I: Australia v India at Adelaide, Jan 26, 2016
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2nd T20I: Australia v India at Melbourne, Jan 29, 2016
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3rd T20I: Australia v India at Sydney, Jan 31, 2016
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