After a high-scoring ODI series, the 3-match T20I series between Australia and India will begin on December 4. The team will meet at Manuka Oval in Canberra and despite a 2-1 loss the Indians will go to the series with some confidence, thanks to their last win in the third ODI.
The T20 Internationals are also expected to be high scoring ones like the 50-over matches and teams should target 160-plus as par score. Australians will miss David Warner but the team has batters like Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, and Glenn Maxwell. These batsmen are in great form and whether batting first or chasing a target they should be able to continue with the good show.
The home side also has all-rounders like D’Arcy Short, Moises Henriques, Aston Agar, and Cameron Green. These players can play effective roles and provide enough support in both departments. Marcus Stoinis who missed the last two ODIs might get back to the team as a batter.
Australian pace bowling once again is dependent on Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Sean Abbott. Adam Zampa, the leggie after his great outing in the ODI series would be in focus. Zampa has been picking regular wickets and providing important breakthroughs to change the fate of a game often.
The visitors will hugely depend on the all-rounder duo, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. These two played important roles in the last ODI match Down Under and the side will look up to them. Washington Sundar can give support as a second spin option and also, contributed with some important runs at number six or seven.
Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace bowling and along with Mohammed Shami, Deepak Chahar, and T Natarajan would look to bounce back. Indian batsmen put up 300-plus scored in all of the ODI matches. It is time that they continue with the momentum led by Virat Kohli, along with Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer at the top.
Likely XIs
India- Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
Australia- Aaron Finch, D’Arcy Short, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques, Alex Carey, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.