After losing the ODI series 2–1, reigning T20 world champions India will look to bounce back in the T20I series as they take on an Australian side in transition.
The Men in Blue have a completely new squad from the one that played the ODIs, looking for a breath of fresh air to start the T20I series on a high.
For this game, here we present our preview and predictions.
Suryakumar Yadav returns to action and leads India in the shortest format. The squad boasts an incredibly explosive and talented batting line-up, with the top order comprising the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, and Yadav. Even though they don’t bat deep, India have plenty of firepower, with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube being the key lower-order cogs of the Indian batting wheel.
With the ball, No. 1-ranked T20I bowler Varun Chakravarthy will be the lead spinner, with Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar being the other spin options. They won’t be the deciding factor in Australia, however; on quick wickets, it will be the pacers who will be the key. India have the talismanic Jasprit Bumrah returning to the setup after being rested for the ODIs. Bumrah will lead the pace attack, with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana being the other quicks in the squad.
Australia, meanwhile, are in a transitional phase, with Mitchell Marsh leading a squad of mixed players with regards to experience. Marsh leads from the front with the bat and has the explosive Travis Head as his opening partner. Like India, the hosts have an explosive batting unit, with the likes of Tim David, Josh Inglis, and Marcus Stoinis coming down the order. They also boast an array of match-winning all-rounders, giving Marsh multiple bowling and batting options, albeit leaving him light in terms of out-and-out batting options.
In terms of their bowling department, Australia have Josh Hazlewood leading the pace attack, with Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett providing support, while Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis, and Matthew Kuhnemann will be the frontline spin options.
The Canberra wicket has been helpful to bowlers in recent times. Based on their squad depth and star-studded bowling attack, India are our favourites to win this encounter.
Fantasy XI: Abhishek Sharma, Mitchell Marsh (vc), Travis Head, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Varun Chakravarthy, Josh Hazlewood
Venue: Manuka Oval, Canberra
Winners Prediction: India
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